Frequently Asked Questions

Question-Will traffic still be able to head west to the Father Curran Bridge from Cony Circle and proceed up Bridge Street or left onto Commercial Street?
Answer-Yes - That traffic pattern will remain the same. The only change is a new traffic signal at the corner of Bridge and Commercial which will regulate all the diverted traffic coming up from Northern Avenue onto Commercial.

Question - I just wanted to voice my concerns over the change in the parking; I have a pre-paid pass to the Railroad Bed and have had to find alternate parking since the 2hr parking has been added. This is quite frustrating and we had no warning of the change and no alternative to where to park when nothing is available.  Any information as to the solutions on this matter would be much appreciated.
Answer - Thank you for getting in touch with us.  I encourage you to sign up for e-mail alerts for the Augusta Memorial Bridge project at www.mainedot.gov.  We try to give advance warning regarding the upcoming changes via the media and these e-mail alerts.  I'm afraid the Augusta Parking District is the organization that needs to handle your situation.  MaineDOT has worked closely with the City and the Parking District to put up signs and paint additional parking spots.  The Parking District, not MaineDOT, knows who has paid parking, which spot they are assigned to, and is responsible for assigning a different spot when necessary.  MaineDOT has no control over this aspect of the project.  I'm sorry we couldn’t be of more help with your parking situation.  I think you'll find the members of the Parking District on the Augusta City website:

http://www.ci.augusta.me.us/boards.html#5  

Please contact them as soon as possible to rectify your situation before the three-month Memorial Bridge closure begins on February 26th. 

Question - Could someone address the question (in a future update?) as to whether Bridge St is going to be two-way between Water St and Commercial St.?
Answer - Thanks for the question. A new traffic signal is being installed on the corner of Bridge and Commercial Streets. Traffic will be one way - going up from Water Street to that light or beyond it to State Street. Traffic going downhill on Bridge (from State) will have to turn right onto Commercial. Other details of the traffic plan can be found under Traffic Information on the website.

Question - I work at Riverview and live on the west side of Augusta. Can I just cross on the Father Curran Bridge?

Answer - We'd prefer the Third Bridge be used during the closure.  Once Memorial Bridge is closed you won’t be able to EXIT Arsenal Street and take a LEFT down to Father Curran.  When exiting Arsenal, it will be right turns only bringing you up to Cony Circle and easily out Bangor Street to the Third Bridge.  There will be no left turns into or out of Arsenal Street (check out the traffic plan section of this web site. If someone is reporting for an 11 PM shift or possibly at 6:30 AM, the downtown area might be less congested.  But during peak hours (7 to 9 AM and 4 to 6 PM) we'd like to reserve Father Curran for those doing business downtown and for emergency vehicles.  You may want to consider one of the Park and Ride lots at the Old Edward Mill Site, the Augusta Civic Center or Central Maine Power on Edison Drive.  Meet co-workers there and carpool to work.  Thanks for your question!

Question – Will Arsenal Street remain open during the Bridge closure?

Answer - Arsenal Street will remain open. However, if exiting Arsenal Street onto Bridge Street, you won’t be able to take a left and head down to Father Curran Bridge. You will only be able to go right towards Cony Circle. If coming down Bridge Street from Cony Circle, you won’t be able to take a left onto Arsenal St. These changes were made to ensure better traffic flow for motorists trying to cross Father Curran Bridge and prevent backups onto Cony Circle. We are currently trying to identify a Park and Ride lot on the east side and realize how heavily Arsenal Street is used by the former AMHI campus and Maine General employees. We will be sending out e-mail alerts to update employees in that area regarding the traffic plan, Park and Ride lots etc…

Question – How long will the bridge be closed?

Answer - Plan for a 3-month closure. The contractor is allowed 86 days and will be rewarded for opening sooner and penalized for going longer.

Question – What is the Third Bridge? What is the Father Curran Bridge?

Answer - The "Third Bridge" is the new bridge that is one mile north of the city center. On the west, you can reach it from I-95 by taking Exit 113. You can also reach it from Route 104 on the west side of the river. On the east side, Routes 201 and 3 bring you to the Third Bridge. The Father Curran Bridge is the low elevation bridge in the city center that connects Northern Avenue on the west side of the river with Augusta City Hall and the Willow Street Hannaford’s on the east side of the river.

Question - Thank you for the e-mail alert but I question the logic in making this closure longer than it has to be. Why add the additional week on when 3 months is going to be too long as it is?

This page last updated on 2/8/06.