Portland, ME. Maine?s mild winter and lack of snow have made it possible for construction work to begin earlier this year on the $7.9 million Interstate 295 highway improvement project. In fact, road crews will take the first step in preparing the work zone at the Congress Street Interchange Friday, March 16, by installing additional structural support to the Fore River Parkway Bridge, also known as the Portland Connector.
The structural shoring work will require that crews establish lane closures, shoulder closures, and even sidewalk closures, and drivers and pedestrians should be on the alert. Crews will maintain one lane of traffic in both directions and will also keep the sidewalk open.
As the actual bridge rehabilitation work is expected to get underway very quickly, construction crews plan to close both the Park Avenue and Congress Street on-ramps to I-295 northbound on Tuesday, March 27. A full plan including suggested detours is available at MaineDOT?s website www.mainedot.gov.
All I-295 work this season will be in the northbound lane.
Drivers are encouraged to visit MaineDOT?s website www.mainedot.gov, for more details including maps, updates, and web cams, and to sign up for email alerts.
MaineDOT reminds all travelers that because construction schedules can be affected by adverse weather, material delivery delays, and other variables, publicized dates and times are tentative and subject to change.
MaineDOT appreciates the patience of all motorists during this construction period, and also asks motorists to drive safely through all work zones.