Portland ? Crews have begun working overnight on the I-295 Exit 6 off-ramp improvements project in Portland.
The project location is the two loop off-ramps at I-295 Exit 6 northbound to westbound and southbound to eastbound.
The purpose of this project is to mitigate vehicle collisions at the Forest Avenue ramp intersection by improving the ramp and intersection geometrics; minimize the potential of traffic queuing back to I-295 on and off-ramps by allowing traffic to enter into its own lane on Forest Avenue; and provide pedestrian safety enhancements with improved sidewalks, side paths and roadway crossings on Forest Avenue.
Some highlights and improvements associated with this project are:
Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons at all crossings
Reduced lane widths to create much wider paved shoulders through the project area for on road bicyclists
Creation of a bicycle and pedestrian trail on both sides of Forest Avenue by widening the sidewalk so that bicyclists uncomfortable on the road can ride on the ?off road trail?
Slower traffic in general through the project area
Slower traffic coming off the ramps at the crosswalk locations
Shorter, more visible pedestrian crossings
This will provide a safer interchange for all vehicular traffic, bicyclists and pedestrians.
Due to the work being performed in the overnight hours, impact to traffic is expected to be minimal.
It is anticipated all work will be completed by the middle of September, 2015.
Shaw Brothers Construction of Gorham will perform this $1.71 million project