FAIRFIELD, Maine ? Starting Monday, October 3, a segment of I-95 Northbound and Southbound in Fairfield and Benton will be reduced to one lane in order for crews to begin working on crossover lanes in preparation of the rehabilitation of the bridges that carry I-95 over the Kennebec River in Fairfield and Benton.
Over the next two years, crews will be replacing the bridge decks on both of the I-95 bridges as well as the Pan Am Railways bridge immediately west of the bridges. These are bridge rehabilitation projects that include removing the concrete bridge decks; repairing deteriorating structural steel and concrete; installing a new bridge deck and waterproof membrane; replacing existing curb and rail along the bridge; and paving.
It is expected to take approximately one month to build the crossovers on either side of the bridges. Once the crossovers are complete, traffic will be reduced to one lane northbound and southbound and diverted onto the southbound bridges while crews work on the northbound bridges. Once work is completed on the northbound bridges in the fall of 2012, traffic will be diverted to the northbound bridges and work will begin on the southbound bridges. Traffic is expected to be restored to both bridges in the fall of 2013.
Once the crossovers are operational, the Exit 133 northbound on-ramp in Fairfield will be closed for safety reasons. Traffic that normally utilizes the Exit 133 northbound on-ramp will be directed to the Exit 132 northbound on-ramp via Routes 201 and 139. The on-ramp will remain closed until traffic is restored on both bridges.
Technical Construction Inc., of Turner, Maine is the contractor for the $9.3 million project.