PORTLAND - The planned full closure of I-295 over Veranda Street in Portland to accommodate the rapid replacement of an aging interstate bridge will happen in the spring. The Maine Department of Transportation is discussing scheduling options with design consultants and construction contractors. The new closure dates will likely be in April.
The full closure of the interstate and Veranda Street (under the bridge) had originally been scheduled for this month but had to be postponed. Challenges involving the lightweight geofoam fill being used on this project required more time to make sure the work met safety requirements. A national resin shortage has been slowing the process of obtaining replacement geofoam blocks for the project.
Changing the closure weekend will not create additional traffic impacts: the closure is just moving to a different weekend. All lanes of both I-295 and Route 1/Veranda Street will remain open and passable throughout the winter months. The project is still on track to be completed by the end of 2022.
Project information, detour routes, and updates are available by visiting www.verandaplan.org.