News Release for April 26, 2012
For more Information:
Ted Talbot, MaineDOT Public Information Officer - 624-3030
Maine is Working This Summer!
Augusta – This summer and fall, construction crews throughout the state will be digging, paving and building, which has an immediate positive impact on Maine’s economy. In his State of the State Address in January, Governor LePage highlighted the MaineDOT’s $104 million in additional revenue dedicated to improving the transportation infrastructure in Maine. The amount was achieved through current funding sources, expenditure projections and efficiencies throughout the department, thus producing a more robust 2012-2013 Capital Work Plan, helping to generate good-paying, private sector jobs.
This $104 million consists of $98 million for construction and $6 million for design, broken down as follows:
$66.5 million for highways, consisting of almost $56 million for 36 new highway construction projects, almost $7 million in supplemental funding for 13 existing highway projects awaiting bidding, and about $3.5 million for design and scoping for 20 future highway construction projects.
$37.5 million for bridges, consisting of $25.3 million for 15 new bridge construction projects, $9.7 million in supplemental funding for 3 existing bridge projects awaiting bidding, and about $2.5 million for design for 13 future bridge construction projects.
Though there are multiple projects, from much needed urban area road work, traffic safety intersection improvements and bridge deck replacements, it is always worth noting some of the major construction projects which, when completed, help Mainers commute safely and efficiently to work, school and vacation destinations. The $104 million is contributing to some of the following projects this season:
$6 million for the Portland 295 bridge deck work
$15.9 million for the Falmouth-Portland Martins Point Bridge
$2.2 million for road construction on Route 1 in Van Buren
$5.3 million for highway paving on I-95 in Newburgh-Plymouth
$2.5 million for paving on Route 1 in Wells
$2.5 million for paving on Route 9 and Route 202 in Unity-Dixmont
In addition to those projects, many more will be employing hundreds of workers throughout the state this season. "Maine is working this summer!" says MaineDOT Commissioner David Bernhardt, "construction jobs at all skill levels will soon be in full swing, and Governor LePage has been instrumental in making sure there are no roadblocks in building and maintaining the transportation infrastructure in our state."
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