Ogunquit: Beginning the week of March 1, the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) will embark on an $13.5 million dollar project to reconstruct Route 1 in Ogunquit and build two new bridges over the Ogunquit and Josias Rivers.
R.J. Grondin & Sons of Gorham has been awarded the contract for work that is expected to continue through December, 2016. Due to the heavy tourism economy of the area, road construction will be suspended from June 18th through Labor Day. Though work on the two new bridges will continue, temporary bridges will keep traffic moving.
Route 1 is the primary road for Ogunquit, which swells from approximately 3,500 to nearly 35,000 each summer. The town of Ogunquit has contributed $ 1.8 million to enhance the sidewalks and streetscape.
?Construction is always difficult on a major route like this one,? noted MaineDOT Project Manager Ernie Martin. ?But we?ve made a lot of compromises to minimize the inconvenience?especially halting construction for eleven weeks during the busiest season. Everyone will be working long and hard to finish the project by December 30, 2016?or possibly earlier, thanks to strong incentives for the contractor to finish before the deadline,? Martin added. ?It has truly been a collaborative effort with the town.?
Karen Marie Arel, President of the Ogunquit Chamber of Commerce noted, ?The town and Maine DOT have achieved a delicate balance between our members? dependence on our tourism-based economy, and the long-term need for high-quality infrastructure that this project will provide.?
Ogunquit Town Manager, Tom Fortier, added, ?Route 1 is the lifeline for all of us year-round, and the gateway for thousands of visitors each summer. We feel confident that MaineDOT has listened to our needs, and shares our vision for a friendlier, better-looking streetscape. Though road construction is always inconvenient, I believe people will be really pleased with the end result.?
Martin encouraged residents and visitors to go to MaineDOT.gov to sign up for email alerts and get more detailed information, including an artist?s conceptual rendition of how village will look when the project is completed.
For more information go to www.mainedot.gov or www.facebook.com/OgunquitProject