Work plan for state bridge and road projects unveiled

Posted: January 10, 2017 | Senator Libby

Democratic Sen. Nate Libby of Lewiston is pleased to share the details of Maine’s three-year transportation infrastructure work plan, and what it means for Lewiston. 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.

“Lewiston residents count on having safe and reliable transportation infrastructure every day,” said Sen. Libby. “I’m glad to see the over $14.3 million in work planned for the next few years in Lewiston and will keep supporting investments in maintenance and improvements. We also need to do more to increase pedestrian safety. This will continue to be a focus of mine going forward.”

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. Libby stressed the importance of funding for the MDOT work plan and its investment to Lewiston and the entire state. The following breakdown is what the planned capital and maintenance work will mean for the city:

Bridge Work (Other)

  • Work on Veterans Memorial Bridge Ramp W over Maine Central Rail Road
  • Work on Veterans Memorial Bridge Ramp E over Maine Central Rail Road
  • Work on the Vietnam Memorial West Bridge over the west channel of the Androscoggin River at the Auburn-Lewiston city line
  • Work on the Bernard Lown Peace Bridge over the Androscoggin River at the Auburn-Lewiston city line
  • Work on the Vietnam Memorial East Bridge over the Androscoggin River

Highway Preservation Paving

  • Work on 0.55 miles of Route 196 from Strawberry Patrch Road to Chestnut Street
  • Work on 1.31 miles of Route 196 from Randall Road and going east
  • Work on 1.08 miles of Bartlett Street from College Street to East Avenue

Highway Safety and Spot Improvements

  • Work on 0.66 miles of River Road from Alfred A. Plourde Parkway to Razel Way
  • Work on 0.45 miles of East Avenue from Fairlawn Avenue to Homefield Street

Maintenance

  • Repairing joints and abutments on Lewiston Interchange Bridge, which carries Lewiston Interchange over Route 196, and MTPK Exit 13/Maine Central Railroad Bridge, which carries Alfred A. Plourde Parkway over Maine Central Railroad

Public Transportation

  • Work on operating, capital, Americans with Disabilities Act operating for Citylink
  • Work on urban transit planning

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

The entire MDOT work plan can be viewed here.