• Temporary work trestle and access road construction.
• Installation of granular borrow and heavy riprap.

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT), in cooperation with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), and in coordination with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), announced the availability of the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (FSEIS) / Final Programmatic Section 4(f) Evaluation assessing the potential impacts of a proposed new U.S. Land Port of Entry (LPOE) in Madawaska and an International Bridge project between Madawaska and Edmundston.

The FSEIS identified the GSA's Preferred Alternative for the new U.S. LPOE and the FHWA's and MaineDOT's Preferred Alternative for the International Bridge location and design and why they were identified over the other alternatives considered. It described the potential environmental impacts and mitigation measures and other commitments and addresses comments received on the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement/Draft Programmatic Section 4(f) Evaluation issued on November 26, 2018.

The GSA's Preferred Alternative for the LPOE is Alternative C from the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (DSEIS) with inbound and outbound access to Mill Street. The FHWA's and MaineDOT's Preferred Alternative for the International Bridge is Alternative 2 from the DSEIS with a bridge anticipated to have six spans and five piers. The Preferred Alternatives for the LPOE and International Bridge will continue to evolve as the design for both progresses.

The GSA and FHWA accepted comments on the FSEIS / Final Programmatic Section 4(f) Evaluation until November 4, 2019.

On February 13, 2020, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT), in cooperation with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), and in coordination with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), published a Record of Decision (ROD) completing the National Environmental Policy Act process. The ROD summarizes NEPA findings and documents the decision made.

For further information on the Environmental Evaluation , please contact:

Eva Birk, Environmental Specialist U.S. Department of Transportation , FHWA
Edmund S. Muskie Federal Building,
40 Western Avenue
Room 614
Augusta, ME 04330
Phone: 207-512-4921
Fax: 207-626-9133
E-mail:eva.birk@dot.gov

For further information regarding GSA's new Land Port of Entry, please contact:

Alexas Kelly, Project Manager, GSA, New England Region
10 Causeway Street, 11th Floor
Boston, MA 02222
Phone: 617-549-8190
E-mail: alexandria.kelly@gsa.gov

This project was advertising for bids on December 23rd, 2020. MaineDOT is scheduled to open bids in early February.

Madawaska LPOE and New International Bridge Record of Decision (PDF)

During the Public Hearing held on December 12, 2018, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), Federal Highway Administration, and MaineDOT provided a timeline for the availability of the FSEIS / Programmatic Section 4(f) Evaluation. At the time, it was anticipated that this would be available in the April timeframe.

Due to the complexity of the overall project, it was not possible to complete this portion of the process as initially projected. In order to ensure a thorough and complete evaluation of all aspects of the project are taken into account, the new estimated availability of the FSEIS / Programmatic Section 4(f) Evaluation, which will identify the preferred alternative for the Land Port of Entry (LPOE) and the new International Bridge, is targeted for late summer 2019.

News Release for May 26, 2022

For more Information:
Paul Merrill, Director of Communications - 207-215-9297

MADAWASKA - The Maine Department of Transportation will be conducting its annual inspection of the International Bridge in Madawaska next month. This inspection will involve daily traffic closures to ensure the safety of both the traveling public and the crews inspecting the bridge. Drivers should expect closures between 7:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. EST from Monday June 6th through Saturday June 11th. The sidewalk will remain open during the inspection.

The structure has known deficiencies, structural concerns, and a rapid rate of deterioration that need to be properly evaluated annually to allow for continued safe use. Bridge inspections are performed during daylight hours to ensure safety, thoroughness, and the quality of the inspection. The engineering firm performing the inspection, HNTB, is familiar with the structure and has performed a detailed analysis related to the loading of the structure. HNTB plans to use an Under Bridge Inspection Truck (UBIT). The UBIT will be placed in a manner to minimize stresses on the bridge.

MaineDOT understands the impacts to the neighboring communities and appreciates the public's patience as we work to keep this bridge safe until we replace it. Construction for the bridge replacement project started last year and is still underway.

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