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1/6/2023: New Bridge Construction in Eddington

News Release for January 6, 2023

For more Information:
Paul Merrill, Director of Communications - 207-215-9297

EDDINGTON - The Maine Department of Transportation is constructing a new bridge in Eddington as part of the ongoing I-395/Route 9 Connector project. The new bridge will carry Clewleyville Road over the new highway. This is one of five bridges associated with this project.

Beginning on January 9th, Clewleyville Road traffic will be detoured to Levenseller Road and Nolan Road. The contractor has posted signs to alert drivers. This detour is expected to be in place for most of 2023.

Connector construction started in January 2022. Right now, approximately half the road construction is finished (between Wilson Street and Levenseller Road). This new highway will be approximately six miles long and run between Brewer and Eddington. All work is expected to be finished in 2025.

The I-395/Route 9 Connector project will provide the "missing link" between I-395 and Route 9 in southern Penobscot County. Right now, vehicles traveling through the area from I-395 to Route 9 generally proceed from I-395 to Routes 1A, 46, and 9 routes that have abrupt transitions in travel speed, roadway geometry, and capacity. The new connector will provide a regional solution to congestion, connectivity, mobility, and safety problems. The greater Bangor/Brewer area is the economic and employment center for the north central region of the state. It's also a hub for the movement of goods because of its proximity to the interstate highway system and Canadian markets.

The contractor on this project is Sargent Corporation of Sillwater. The contract amount is $84,437,000.

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Project Updates

Route 9/I-395 Connector Updates: 2024

June 2024

Throughout the month of June, crews worked on placing loam and seed on slopes, as well as temporary striping. Traffic was switched onto phase 1 – Eastbound, at which point, crews began working on phase 2 by removing pavement, excavating to subgrade, and placing gravel. Crews have continued cleaning up slopes, screening and placing dirty borrow, creating subgrade at Levenseller Bridge area, placing the on-site gravel on those areas, and fine grading. Work by T Buck at Levenseller Bridge area involved the removal of forms from curbs, while work on the Levenseller Bridge saw forms placed for abutment 1 wingwalls. Contracting partner, Northeast Traffic Control Services continued the installation of precast sign foundations. Finished slopes were seeded and the installation of wildlife fencing is ongoing.

May 2024

Throughout May crews from Sargent continued to work on installation of 24” and 36” reinforced concrete pipe, under drains, and catch basins. Once completed, crews moved on to assisting with paving, and slope work. They completed the placement of lightweight fill at Eaton Brook, Ramp D, and placed gravel on all lightweight fill areas. Work at Eaton Brook Bridge involved crews removing forms for approach slabs and backwalls at both abutments. Crews completed placing forms and rebar for curbs, then placed concrete. Work at Levenseller Road Bridge involved completing working on abutment 1 breastwall forms and rebar and began placing rebar for abutment 2 breastwall. They also completed placing forms and rebar for the spread footer sign foundation. East Coast Signals continued installing frames and grates on fiber manholes and continued to install precast light pole foundations. Northeast Traffic Control Services continued to install precast sign foundations.

April 2024

Throughout April crews worked on placing ITS conduit, and placing riprap. Gravel was placed during grading operations, with on-site crushing operations completing, and brush cleared along the fence line. Concrete was placed for deck and breastwalls. Comprehensive Land Technologies has completed mulching areas for wildlife fencing. East Coast Signals placed concrete in one lighting pole foundation, installed several other precast foundations, and installed conduit between foundations. They have also begun installing frames and grates on fiber manholes. Northeast Traffic Control Services began installing precast sign foundations.

March 2024

Throughout the month of March, the following progress was made on the Brewer-Holden-Eddington (Route 9 Connector) new construction project. Sargent completed various tasks including excavating for Levenseller Road Bridge abutment 2 footing, conducting on-site crushing operations, cutting brush and blow downs along the fence line, and installing conduit. T Buck placed concrete in forms for upper leveling slabs and footers at abutment 1, as well as commencing similar work at abutment 2. Additionally, Badger Daylighting completed vacuum cleaning the ledge at Levenseller Road abutment 2. As the month progressed, Sargent continued with crushing operations and conduit installation, while T Buck focused on formwork and rebar placement for footers and upper leveling slabs. The project also saw efforts towards preparing subgrades for the upcoming spring. At Levenseller Road Bridge, construction activities included placing forms and rebar for breastwall footers, receiving EFCO forms, and initiating their construction for the breastwall at abutment 1.

February 2024

Throughout February Sargent has been actively engaged in various tasks. They've been focused on riprap under-trench areas and continued excavating down to footer elevations at the Levenseller Road Bridge site. Additionally, they've been dedicated to constructing deer jump outs. Notably, Sargent also provided support to MaineDOT Maintenance by assisting with repairs to the guardrail on Ramps C & D following a recent truck accident. Furthermore, Sargent made progress with the placement of ITS conduit and completed excavating for the Levenseller Road Bridge abutment 1 footing. They also continued the excavation work for abutment 2 footing, on-site crushing operations, and clearing brush and blow downs along the fence line. Moreover, they successfully completed the construction of deer escape jump outs and continued installing conduit.

Meanwhile, T Buck has been actively working on several fronts as well. At the Eaton Brook Bridge site, they completed the installation of overhang brackets and bunks, and work progressed on installing forms for the deck. Notably, they installed shear studs, began placing rebar for the deck, and initiated the placement of forms and rebar for backwalls. Additionally, Badger Daylighting completed cleaning at Levenseller Road Bridge abutment 1 footing. At both the Eaton Brook and Levenseller Road Bridge sites, T Buck continued their efforts with placing rebar for decks, forming backwalls, and other necessary tasks to advance the construction process.

January 2024

Sargent continued placing riprap under-trench areas, excavated down to footer elevations at Levenseller Road Bridge, and constructed deer jump outs. At the Eaton Brook Bridge, T Buck completed installing bolts for girder supports, with structural steel scheduled for arrival.

Route 9/I-395 Connector Updates: 2023

December 2023

Sargent continued placing lightweight fill on ramp D, placing riprap on under-trench areas, and pressure tested a temporary water line north of Levenseller Road. Sargent also placed spread footer light bases and conduit on edge of Ramp D. T Buck continued work on the Eastern Avenue Bridge, completed rubbing and sealing finished surfaces. The same work was completed on the Clewleyville Road Bridge.

November 2023

Sargent has continued working on digging and preparing new roadway areas and slopes around bridges, placing gravel on approved areas, and managing various tasks like removing overburden gravel and installing pipes. Eastern Avenue was opened to traffic. T Buck worked on finishing surfaces for Clewleyville Road Bridge, Eastern Avenue Bridge, and Lambert Road Bridge, while starting work on Eaton Brook Bridge. Northeast Paving handled pavement tasks, and East Coast Signals worked on conduit installation and light foundations. Heath Hathaway Drilling and Blasting continued blasting operations, and C.A. Newcomb installed snow fence and guardrail at Eastern Avenue Bridge. On the Line added yellow and white lines on Eastern Avenue.

October 2023

Work throughout October has involved the following: Sargent: Ongoing excavation and subgrade creation, along with gravel placement in approved areas, including the jughandle. Overburden removal from Ramp D and specific sections. Work on LWF subgrade and waterline installation, including new fire hydrants and RCP installations near box culverts. Riprap under-trench areas and fine grading for pavement. T Buck: Clewleyville Road Bridge saw progress with bridge approach rail and curb transition installation, as well as sealer application to the bridge deck and curbs. Eastern Avenue Bridge work included deck rebar placement, concrete pouring, curb forming, and bridge rail installation. Eaton Brook Bridge preparations for pile caps with concrete jackets on piles. Northeast Paving milled bridge decks for Clewleyville Road and Eastern Avenue Bridges, and base pavement paving for Clewleyville Road Approaches. East Coast Signals continued conduit installation, light base foundation installations, heat trace electrical service pedestal installation, and awaiting electric meter installation at Eastern Avenue.

September 2023

Sargent continued to move excavation, continued creating subgrade, and placing gravel on the approved areas. They assisted with blasting operations, completed backfilling Eastern Avenue Bridge abutment 2 up to approach slab grade, and Clewleyville Road Bridge abutments up to deck grade. Sargent completed installing end sloped sections of Critter Crossing 1 and Whitetail Crossing box culverts, completed backfilling around Critter Crossing 1, Eaton Tributary, and Whitetail Crossing box culverts, installed membrane on Whitetail Crossing and on Critter Crossing 1, installed temporary drainage under Levenseller Road, created crane pad at Eastern Avenue abutment 1, completed placing lightweight fill in area 4, began installing LWF in this area, began 16” waterline installation on Eastern Avenue Bridge, began excavation on the Jughandle, installed 18” RCP on Jughandle.

T Buck performed work on Clewleyville Road Bridge, including placing concrete for deck, curbs, parapets, and approach slabs. Installed bridge rail. Work at Eastern Avenue Bridge saw the placement of concrete for abutment 2 wingwalls, backwall, and approach slab. They Installed bearings, set steel, torqued bolts, installed shear studs, and have begun forming and placing rebar for deck. Heath Hathaway Blasting continued operations north of Levenseller Road. C.A. Newcomb installed snow fence on Clewleyville Road Bridge. East Coast Signals installed conduit and fiber manholes with excavating assistance from Sargent.

August 2023

Sargent continued to move excavation, created subgrade, and added 1st lift of gravel to this area, placed gravel on these areas as well as on top of LWF of Ramp E & F, continued drainage with 36” RCP, completed backfilling Eastern Avenue Bridge abutment 1 up to approach slab grade, completed excavating for and installing bedding stone burrito for Eaton Tributary Box Culvert, began installing box culvert bottom sections, completed excavating Area 4 down to lightweight fill subgrade, and began placing lightweight fill in Area 4.

T Buck: Clewleyville Road Bridge: Continued forming and placing rebar for deck. Eastern Avenue Bridge: Completed forming and placing rebar for Abutment 2 breastwall, placed concrete. Began forming and placing rebar for abutment 2 wingwalls and abutment 1 approach slab.

July 2023

Sargent continued to move excavation when weather allowed. They installed the waterproofing membrane on Snow Scooter Box Culvert and then began and completed placing lightweight fill over culvert. They completed backfilling Clewleyville Road Bridge abutment 2 up to approach slab grade and continued installing riprap drainage through clay dam. They also built and cast in place 4 (four) spread footing lighting foundations. T Buck: Clewleyville Road Bridge: Continued setting safety hardware and began forming deck. Eastern Avenue Bridge: Began forming and placing rebar for Abutment 2 breastwall. East Coast Signals continued installing conduit with excavating and backfilling assistance from Sargent. HB Flemming completed pile work on Eaton Brook West (abutment 1).

June 2023

Sargent continued box culvert backfilling and applied membrane at Snow Scooter Box Culvert, they also prepped area to receive and began installing Lightweight Fill. Sargent continued installing RCP’s and began removing soil overburden on Ramps E & F to prepare for Lightweight Fill in that area. T Buck worked on Clewleyville Road Bridge: Completed placing forms and rebar for Abutment 2 east wingwall and west wingwall section 1, placed concrete in both areas and Eastern Avenue Bridge: Completed placing forms and rebar for Abutment 1 breastwall and placed concrete. East Coast Signals continued installing the ITS conduit (with digging and backfilling assistance from Sargent). HB Fleming completed driving piles at Eaton Brook East and has moved to Eaton Brook West.

May 2023

Sargent has continued to work throughout the winter. They currently have closed Clewleyville Road and Eastern Avenue. Excavation has been removed from both of these roads and bridge abutment footers have been started on both. Sargent has also begun installing four box culverts between Levenseller Road and the Route 9 end of the project. T Buck has worked on the Clewleyville Road Bridge to include placing concrete for both abutment footers and abutment 1 breastwall and east wingwall section 2 and they have also placed concrete for abutment 2 at the Eastern Avenue Bridge and have begun form work for abutment 1. Heath Hathaway Blasting has continued drilling and blasting.

Route 9/I-395 Connector Updates: 01/05/23

Road construction has been partially completed from Wilson Street to Levenseller Road, constituting roughly half of the project completed. This includes drainage, subgrade, gravel, poor soil remediation, bedrock removal, and 2 large box culverts. The Lambert Rd overpass is 95% complete. The detour of Clewleyville Rd will go into effect on Jan 9th. This is a short local detour utilizing Levenseller Rd and Nolan Rd. There will be signage in place for traffic to follow. Duration of the detour will likely be until fall of 2023. This detour will allow the contractor to begin excavation and construction of the Clewleyville Rd bridge over the connector.

Route 9/I-395 Connector Updates: 05/13/22

The project went through the bid process and was awarded to Sargent Corporation January 3, 2022. The corridor clearing was done this spring. There has been a lot of focus on the beginning of the project around Felts Brook to install settlement platforms and prefabricated vertical drains in an area where settlement is anticipated. Along Lambert Road, Sargent has removed ledge for duct bank installation, installed conduit and GIC's for piezometers installations, continued to remove ledge for an access road for access to sand blanket area #4, began hauling sand for the Sand Blanket Area and into stockpile off Eastern Avenue, and installed temporary drainage under Ramp D (Southbound off) and at station 58+50. They have also started to move excavation from the hill at the end of night road (station 177+00 - 179+00) down towards Eaton Brook and set 7 new Settlement Platforms in Area 4. New England Boring Contractors (NEBC) continued with1 drill rig for Inclinometer installations and began Piezometer installations after meeting with Geokon Rep. Keller North America continued Wick Drain installations on Ramp E & F and on mainline 52+00 to 58+00. East Coast Signals, assisted by Sargent, completed the Lambert Road Duct Bank installation. 3 Phase Line, working for Versant Power, connected lines to riser poles on Lambert Road.

Route 9/I-395 Connector Updates: 05/06/21

Final design plans continue to be developed and estimates developed. The right of way process is underway with appraisals starting up.

The Department currently estimates 165,000 CY of Type D gravel. Type C gravel will be an approved equal at the Contractor's option in accordance with the Standard Specifications. The Department is allowing the use of either Type C Aggregate Base Course or Type D Aggregate Subbase Course for the roadway base in order to maximize use of local aggregate sources. The upper specification limit for the LA Abrasion on Type C aggregate has not been determined, although the requirement will not be less than the current limit of 25 percent.

Major bridge construction is planned at Eastern Avenue, Lambert Road, Levenseller Road, and Clewleyville Road to accommodate the connector. Many other structures will also be built but will not affect traffic movement along these roads.
The Department is completing the final design for these structures and has developed a construction strategy as it relates to traffic disruption and duration. A summary is as follows:

Clewleyville and Levenseller Bridges

Bridges at Clewleyville Road and Levenseller Road will be 130-foot and 88-foot steel bridges carrying the local roads over the Route 9 connector. Local roads at each location will be closed for one construction season to construct the bridges. The Contractor will be allowed to return the following spring to do final paving and cleanup while maintaining at least one lane of alternating traffic with flaggers. During the road closures, traffic will be detoured via Nolan Road during construction. Contract specifications will limit overall closure duration at each location and prohibit the closure of Clewleyville Road and Levenseller Road at the same time. Additional travel distance for through traffic will be less than mile with a total end to end detour length of less than three miles. With average traffic counts less than 1000 vehicles per day, traffic delays will be minimal.

Lambert Road Bridge

The Lambert Road Bridge will be a 121-foot steel bridge carrying the Route 9 Connector over Lambert Road. We expect Lambert Road to remain open during the majority of construction. However, a limited number of short duration closures will be allowed to safely erect steel beams and falsework. During times of closures, traffic will be detoured to adjacent local roads. Traffic impacts due to the short duration closures at Lambert Road are expected to be minor. Contract specifications will require advance notification of any closures on Lambert Road.

Eastern Avenue Bridge

Eastern Avenue Bridge will be an 88-foot steel bridge carrying Eastern Avenue over the Route 9 Connector. We expect that Eastern Avenue will be closed for one construction season to construct the bridge. The Contractor will be allowed to return the following spring to do final paving and cleanup while maintaining at least one lane of alternating traffic with flaggers. The allowable duration of closure will be specified in the construction contract. Detour of Eastern Avenue will create moderate traffic impacts during construction. Additional travel distance to and from points east of the Route 9 connector will be 5.4 miles or approximately 8 minutes. Traffic on Eastern Avenue is an average of 1700 vehicles per day.

Route 9/I-395 Connector Updates: 02/01/21

The project is on track to advertise for bids in September 2021. There have been two contracts advertised to prebuy concrete box culverts and another one will advertise very soon. The right of way process is ongoing. Deeds have been researched and are currently being mapped. In the coming months affected property owners will be contacted for the appraisal process to begin. The option to buy is being exercised on a wetland mitigation parcel and should be finalized in the near future. Also a modification to the update on October 22, 2020 "Common borrow (import) quantity is 73,000 cy. This amount could be significantly lowered with light weight fills. We are still exploring the geotechnical aspect of light weight fills currently."

Route 9/I-395 Connector Updates: 10/22/20

As final design continues on the Connector, some rough quantities have been estimated. We are looking at 697,000 cubic yards excavation, 710,000 cubic yards borrow, 165,000 cubic yards ASCG, and 60,000 tons of pavement. Our Geotech engineers are gearing up to get more subsurface information as we fine tune the design. A DOT grant has been awarded. This grant will provide the Maine Department of Transportation funding for the use of Advanced Geotechnical Methods in Exploration (A-GaME) on the Brewer-Eddington I-395/Route 9 Connector Project.

Route 9/I-395 Connector Updates: 07/23/20

A virtual public meeting is available on line to view at https://www.maine.gov/mdot/vpi/ This will be available for comment until August 7, 2020.

Route 9/I-395 Connector Updates: 11/15/19

The bridge is now scheduled to advertise in the spring of 2020 with construction beginning that summer. There will be a public meeting regarding the remainder of the connector in the spring of 2020. After that meeting, the final design and right of way process begins.

Route 9/I-395 Connector Updates: 02/22/19

Work has continued on developing the design for the connector. Geotech crews have been out gathering information along the alignment. In consideration of the complexity of traffic management during construction, the decision was made to build the bridge on Rte 1A over the connector in a separate phase of the construction. This phase is set to advertise late 2019 with construction beginning in 2020. The remainder of the connector is scheduled to advertise late 2021 with construction to begin in 2022. There will be a public meeting about this bridge during the spring of 2019.

Route 9/I-395 Connector Updates: 06/22/18

Design is underway for the Route 9/I-395 Connector!

A preliminary public meeting with project updates will be held at 6:00 p.m. on June 27, 2018 at the Eddington Elementary School (440 Main Road).

Detailed topographic survey for the entire length and width of the project began in the fall of 2016. This survey was performed using a combination of aerial photogrammetry with LIDAR data collection as well as traditional ground survey for accurately determining the locations of important items like edges of streams and property boundary markers.

The data from the topographic surveys has been used in developing the best horizontal and vertical alignment of the new two-lane highway within the approved 200-foot-wide planning corridor. Geotechnical explorations and analysis are also being performed to aid in the foundation design for bridges and large culverts that are part of the project. All of this work will continue to require coordination between project managers, highway engineers, bridge engineers, geotechnical engineers, utility coordinators and environmental specialists.

Some property purchases and relocations have occurred or are underway for certain properties. Most properties affected by the project will require much more detailed design work to be completed so that impacts to the parcels can be properly assessed.