Work plan for state bridge and road projects unveiled

Posted: January 10, 2017 | Senator Dion

Democratic Sen. Mark Dion of Portland is pleased to share the details of Maine’s three-year transportation infrastructure work plan, and what it means for Westbrook and Portland. The plan is released annually with an outline of the Maine Department of Transportation’s strategy for road, bridge and other transportation projects throughout the state.

“Mainers need reliable and safe transportation infrastructure to go about their daily lives and conduct business,” said Sen. Dion. “I’m happy to see this work being planned for this year and will continue to support funding to further and add to these investments.”

According to the MDOT, the work plan includes more than $2.3 billion worth of construction and maintenance, of which $537 million is scheduled for 632 capital projects in 2017. Included are projects for highways and bridges, transit (bus), passenger and freight railroad, aviation, ferries, ports and other marine facilities, and bicycle-pedestrian access.

Sen. Dion stressed the importance of funding for the MDOT work plan and its investment to Westbrook, Portland and the entire state. The following breakdown is what the planned capital and maintenance work will mean for those cities in 2017:

Aviation

  • Safety and infrastructure improvements that may include acquisition of an Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Fire truck at the Portland International Jetport (PWM)
  • Safety and infrastructure improvements that may include installation of a runway incursion warning system at the Portland International Jetport (PWM)
  • Safety and infrastructure improvements that may include Gate 1 apron reconstruction and snow shoulders for Taxiway “C” north – Phase 1 and pilot controlled runway lighting at the Portland International Jetport (PWM)

Bicycle/Pedestrian

  • Work on 1.50 miles of Bayside Trail in Portland from Forest Avenue to the Fore River Parkway and Transportation Center
  • Work on 1.30 miles of the Neighborhood Byway in Portland from Deering Center going north

Bridge Construction

  • Trail improvements and widening of the sidewalk at the intersection of Bayside Trail and Franklin Street in Portland extending 1.00 mile connecting the Bayside Trail to the crosswalk at Marginal Way

Bridge Work (Other)

  • Preliminary Engineering, Construction and Construction Engineering for Casco Bay Island Transit District, Peaks Island, including replacing apron, completing paint of transfer bridge and fender supports, and seal concrete repairs
  • Work on Interstate 295 bridges from South Portland to Brunswick

Freight

  • Purchasing rail packer and mobile harbor crane for International Marine Terminal operations

Highway Light Capital Paving

  • Paving in Westbrook as part of a larger project including work on Route 4A, Route 9, Saco Street, Stroudwater Street, Route 22, Route 4 and Route 5 in Arundel, Buxton, Dayton, Gorham, Hollis, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Lyman, Scarborough and Westbrook

Highway Preservation Paving

  • Work on 4.57 miles of Route 302 in Westbrook and Windham beginning 0.22 miles northwest of Duck Pond Road and going northwest
  • Work on 0.19 miles of Route 100 in Portland between Pennell Avenue and Washington Avenue
  • Work on 0.46 miles of Veranda Street in Portland between Interstate 295 and Martin Point Bridge
  • Work on 0.58 miles of Riverside Street in Portland beginning at Brighton Avenue and going north

Highway Safety and Spot Improvements

  • Work on 0.06 miles of Washington Avenue in Portland from Congress Street to Cumberland Avenue
  • Work on 0.71 miles of Congress Street near State Street in Portland
  • Work on 0.09 miles of Route 25 in Portland beginning at Bedford Street and going west
  • Work on 1.19 miles of Interstate 295 from 0.16 miles south of Washington Avenue in Portland to the Falmouth town line
  • Work on the intersection of Forest Avenue, Woodfords Corner and Ocean Avenue in Portland

Maintenance

  • Replacing roof shingles, trim and railings on the waiting area building on Peaks Island Transfer

Marine

  • Preliminary Engineering, Construction and Construction Engineering for Casco Bay Islands Improvements (Great Diamond, Little Diamond, Long Island and Chebeague) including replacing bolts, bracing, and piles
  • Capital improvements for the Passenger Ferry Program in the Casco Bay Island Transit District
  • Marina expansion at the Fore Street Marina
  • Replacing pier fenders along the wharf at the International Marine Terminal

Other Work

  • Franklin Street Corridor Feasibility Study and Preliminary Engineering for intersection improvements: Located at Marginal Way, Fox Street and Somerset Street in Portland
  • Constructing a new maintenance and operations building at the gate of the International Marine Terminal
    Public Transportation
  • Scoping and design for replacement or rehabilitation of the Portland Transportation Center
  • Work on urban transit operating, capital and planning in Portland

Rail

  • Safety improvements at Cassidy Point Drive in Portland including installing a power switch at the Pan Am Railways wye, replacing the track panel and adding crossing lights and gates at the grade crossing on the street
  • Work on Forest Avenue between Ocean Avenue and Concord Street in Portland
  • IMT to Mainline Wye Rail Improvements (Pan Am) replacing existing light rail and hand switches with 150-point rail and power switches
  • Constructing 750 feet of intermodal track at ramp and 1,100 feet of runaround track extension with 3 crossovers in Portland

Click here to view local road assistance totals and maintenance accomplishments for 2015, the funding estimates for 2017 projects, and the full list of Portland and Westbrook projects for years 2018 and 2019.

The entire MDOT work plan can be viewed here.