Farmingdale, ME ? Sargent Corporation announced today that Route 201 is reopening ahead of schedule. Crews will allow alternating one-way traffic controlled by flaggers at the box culvert construction site. The closure to through-traffic had been planned to continue through Thursday night, September 15 but the road will actually have re-opened Tuesday night, September 13, two days ahead of schedule.
Mike Light, Project Superintendent for Sargent Corporation said, "We worked around the clock to make the closure to through-traffic as short as possible." Light went on to say, "Safety is the top priority, and with the large crane work needed for the box culvert construction, there was no safe way to allow traffic to pass?but with hard work and some good luck with the weather, we were able to advance the schedule and get one lane of traffic open again significantly ahead of schedule."
Officials continue to encourage through-traffic to use Rt. 9 or other alternate routes despite the road being re-opened and the detour discontinued. The temporary closure and detour were due to a large box culvert installation between Sheldon St. and Northern Ave. Officials say it is the only occasion during the reconstruction of U.S. Route 201 in Farmingdale requiring a temporary closure to through-traffic with a detour. The road was closed to through-traffic at 7pm on Friday night, September 9, but had remained open to local traffic and access to all local businesses had been maintained.
Light stated, "We know this has been difficult for businesses and residents, but this work is essential and by working around the clock we are trying to minimize the impacts for everyone involved." Light went on to say, "This reconstruction is going to result in a safer, better road that will benefit everyone for many years."
For more information on the reconstruction of Route 201 drivers are encouraged to visit MaineDOT.gov where it is also possible to sign up for email alerts.