Kittery ? Twelve million dollars in savings has been targeted by the team working on the replacement of the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge that crosses the Piscataqua River between Portsmouth and Kittery. The original estimate of $172 million has been reduced to $160 million. This figure includes the design, engineering, property acquisition and construction of the new bridge. The bridge is slated for replacement in 2014.

Prospect ? The Penobscot Narrows Bridge Observatory in Prospect will be opening on May 24th this year. While traditionally opening for tours on May 1st, the demolition of the Waldo-Hancock Bridge has pushed the date back so the contractor crew can have the needed space and time to safely finish their work.

When the Observatory opens on May 24th, normal visitor hours will resume from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the exception of July and August, when the extended hours will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Fun facts about the Penobscot Bridge Observatory:

Gorham ? Starting today, Wednesday, May 1st, paving work begins on the New Portland Road in Gorham. The project starts at the intersection of New Portland Road and Route 25 (Main Street) and extends approximately one-half mile east.

This pavement preservation work consists of a hot mix asphalt overlay of New Portland Road. Flaggers will be present to assist motorists during the alternating one-way traffic in the work zone.

It is anticipated all work, performed Monday through Friday, will be completed by the end of May.

Belgrade ? The Castle Island Road in Belgrade will be closed on May 8th, 9th and 10th. A strut replacement project will be occurring approximately one-half mile west of West Road and two miles east of Watson Pond Road.

Motorists, including those going to the Long Pond Boat Ramp, should allow extra time for the approximately 14 mile detour route, which includes Route 27 and the Watson Pond Road.

Once the detour is opened back up to traffic, additional work, including the installation of guardrails in the area, is expected to be completed by the middle of May.

Farmington ? Pavement preservation work will take place in Farmington beginning Monday, May 6th. Motorists should expect delays while work is being done near and at the Routes 2 and 4 intersection.

Specific project locations are:

• Bridge Street beginning at the intersection of Oaks Street and Winter Street and extending easterly .18 miles to Routes 2 and 4.

• Oakes Street beginning at the intersection of Winter Street, Temple Road and Bridge Street and extending southerly .23 miles to Routes 2 and 4.

Note: New northbound and southbound day change

Kittery ? Overnight paving begins Monday, May 6th on I-95 in Kittery. The project begins just north of the Spruce Creek Bridge and extends southerly 1.9 miles to the Piscataquis River Bridge at the Maine/New Hampshire border.

Northbound lanes will be paved between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. Sunday nights through Friday mornings to reduce traffic impacts. Lane use will be restricted to one lane.

Kittery ? Crews will be closing the Route 236 on-ramp for I-95 southbound for potentially three overnights beginning on Wednesday, May 8th. Motorists are asked to use the Dennett Road on-ramp to access I-95 south during the hours of 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Work will involve resetting some cub widening on the shoulder to allow vehicles a better turn radius, as well as some paving work.

Weather permitting, CPM Constructors of Freeport anticipate all work to be completed by Saturday morning, May 11th.

Hallowell ? Crews will be replacing closed drainage systems in Hallowell beginning at the intersection of Spring Street and extending approximately 1,000 ft. toward Water Street starting on Monday, May 13th.

Closed drainage replacement will take place for approximately the first two weeks of the project, on the west side (uphill) of the railroad tracks and extending nearly 600 ft. toward Spring Street. Crews will move down to the Second Street intersection to excavate and determine the cause of recent failures and settlements at this location.

Livermore ? On May 13th, a paving project will begin in Livermore on Route 4 beginning approximately one-half mile north of the intersection of Water Hill Road and extend northerly for three miles to just north of Goding Road.

The mainline travel way will be ?shimmed? to remove any rutting and to restore a cross pipe. This will be followed by paving on both the mainline and shoulders. In addition, there will be some updates to guardrail end terminals and miscellaneous guardrail repairs.

Trenton ? Route 3 construction has resumed and paving is scheduled to start Monday, May 13th as the $2.3 million road and intersection improvements near completion.

The project included reconstruction of one-tenth of a mile of Route 230 and six-tenths of a mile of Route 3 in Trenton. To improve safety and traffic flow, the intersection of Route 230 and Route 3 have been redesigned to include a new traffic signal and turning lanes.