Work plan for state bridge and road projects unveiled

Posted: January 10, 2017 | Senator Chipman

Democratic Sen. Ben Chipman of Portland is pleased to share the details of Maine’s three-year transportation infrastructure work plan, and what it means for the City of 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.

“I’m glad to see the range of transportation infrastructure investments that are planned for the coming year,” said Sen. Chipman. “Portland residents and businesses rely on safe and reliable transportation infrastructure and I’ll continue working to improve these resources.”

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. Chipman stressed the importance of funding for the MDOT work plan and its investment to Portland and the entire state. The following breakdown is what the planned capital and maintenance work will mean for the City of Portland 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 from Forest Avenue to the Fore River Parkway and Transportation Center
  • Work on 1.30 miles of the Neighborhood Byway from Deering Center going north

Bridge Construction

  • Trail improvements and widening of the sidewalk at the intersection of Bayside Trail and Franklin Street 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 Preservation Paving

  • Work on 0.19 miles of Route 100 between Pennell Avenue and Washington Avenue
  • Work on 0.46 miles of Veranda Street between Interstate 295 and Martin Point Bridge
  • Work on 0.58 miles of Riverside Street beginning at Brighton Avenue and going north

Highway Safety and Spot Improvements

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

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
  • 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

Rail

  • Safety improvements at Cassidy Point Drive 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
  • 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

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 projects for years 2018 and 2019.

The entire MDOT work plan can be viewed here.