AUGUSTA - The Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) today announced the creation of an Offshore Wind Port Advisory Group (OSWPAG). This group will advise MaineDOT and other state officials regarding the potential development of wind port facilities needed for Maine to realize the environmental and economic benefits of the rapidly developing offshore wind market. Such facilities are integral to advancing the University of Maine's patented floating offshore wind technology and attracting offshore wind industry investment to Maine.

LISBON - The Maine Department of Transportation is performing highway reconstruction work and making other improvements along a one-mile stretch of Route 125 (Main Street) in Lisbon. The construction area begins at the intersection of Routes 125 and 196 and continues northeasterly to Huston Street. In addition to reconstructing the road, this project involves improving drainage, replacing water and sewer lines, and installing new sidewalks. Construction started on March 28th. Most of the work this year will focus on the downtown area.

RICHMOND - The Maine Department of Transportation is accelerating its plans to replace a culvert at the Abagadasset River on Alexander Reed Road in Richmond. Rainfall last week caused the exiting culvert to wash out on Friday. The road is currently impassable and will remain closed until the new culvert is built. The detour is currently posted using Routes 197 and 201. On the average day, about 400 vehicles use this segment of Alexander Reed Road.

WOODSTOCK - The Maine Department of Transportation has resumed work on a highway reconstruction and rehabilitation project on part of Route 26 in Woodstock. The construction area begins east of Rumford Avenue and extends westerly for approximately 2.5 miles. In addition to roadway improvements, this project also involves the installation of new drainage and safety improvements. Drivers may encounter an alternating, single-lane traffic pattern during construction. The contractor on this project is Gordon Contracting of Sangerville. The contract amount is $9,940,746.

MATTAWAMKEAG - The Maine Department of Transportation and its contracting partners will begin setting beams for the new Mattawamkeag Bridge in Mattawamkeag on Monday, April 11th. Beam-setting work is expected to continue through Tuesday, April 26th. The contractor plans to set two beams per day. There is a temporary bridge in place, but that bridge will be closed to traffic for approximately 15 minutes each time a beam is set.

HAMPDEN - Today, the Maine Department of Transportation closed the Twin Bridge in Hampden as part of the department's ongoing project to replace the 71-year-old structure. The Twin Bridge carries Route 69 over the West Branch of Souadabscook Stream. Traffic is being diverted to a temporary detour bridge. Drivers should expect an alternating pattern of single-lane traffic controlled by temporary signals on the detour route. Oversized loads are not permitted on the temporary bridge.

BRUNSWICK - For the next several weeks, Maine Department of Transportation crews will be performing maintenance work on the bridges that connect Route 196 with the northbound side of Route 1 in Brunswick.

Work on the bridge that connects Route 196 to the northbound side of Route 1 is scheduled to take place between Monday, April 11th and Wednesday, April 20th. Detoured traffic should take Route 1 south to the Maine Street exit to get back on the northbound side of Route 1.

WEST GARDINER - National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) will be observed from Monday, April 11th through Friday, April 15th, 2022. This year's theme is "Work Zones are a Sign to Slow Down." NWZAW has been observed for more than 20 years and was launched as a public awareness campaign to help people understand they play a role in keeping motorists and roadway workers safe.

WEST GARDINER - National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) is being observed from Monday, April 11th through Friday, April 15th. This year's theme is "Work Zones are a Sign to Slow Down." NWZAW has been observed for more than 20 years and was launched as a public awareness campaign to help everyone understand how each of us plays a role in keeping motorists and roadway workers safe.

PORTLAND - The Maine Department of Transportation will be closing Route 1/Veranda Street under I-295 in Portland on Monday, April 18th at 2:00 p.m. The road will remain closed for one week to accommodate bridge replacement work on I-295. Route 1/Veranda Street is scheduled to reopen on Monday, April 25th at 2:00 p.m.