MaineDOT, the Maine Turnpike Authority, and the New Hampshire Department of Transportation are collaborating to make necessary improvements to the iconic Piscataqua River Bridge.
While there has been minimal disruption over the summer, we now need to close the following exits for safety reasons.
Maine’s continued rise in popularity as a destination for families, foodies, and outdoor enthusiasts has led to a rise in back-ups and traffic jams at the state’s southern gateway, a development that doesn’t benefit anyone. Maine Ahead will modernize two of Maine’s iconic entry points, the Piscataqua River Bridge, and the York Toll Plaza, alleviating the problem and providing a more welcoming entry to the state WITHOUT increasing toll prices. When Maine Ahead is finished, both commuters and visitors will breathe a sigh of relief when they crest the bridge and see Maine’s state line sign welcoming them home.
LANE CLOSURE: Beginning at 6PM on Tuesday, October 15, the York Toll Plaza construction zone at mile 10 on the mainline of the Turnpike will be down to two lanes of traffic in each direction. This traffic pattern will remain in effect for approximately one month while construction crews complete roadway widening and drainage work that will allow for three lanes of traffic during the second phase of the project. Thank you for your patience.
TRAFFIC ALERT: Beginning on Tuesday (10/1) through Thursday (10/3) we will be conducting blasting at the new York Toll Plaza. The blasting will occur up to 2 times per day between the hours of 10am and 2pm. During blasting, traffic will be stopped temporarily in both directions at Mile 7.5 Northbound and Mile 10 Southbound. The stoppage will be very short in duration, but please keep in mind that you may experience a brief delay if you’re traveling through this area during the potential blast hours.
TRAFFIC UPDATE: Beginning tonight (Tuesday, August 19th) northbound traffic at the York Toll Plaza project at Mile 8.8 will be shifted from its current location to the recently constructed outside lanes. While the switchover is taking place on Tuesday night, traffic will go down to one lane (after 11 PM). This will allow crews to switch the lane striping and relocate barrels and barriers. Once this work is complete (before the Wednesday AM commute), they will reopen traffic to all three lanes. Please note that these lanes will be narrowed from 12 feet to 11 feet and speeds will be reduced from 60 MPH to 50 MPH – please drive safely.
Percent Complete last approved pay estimate: 22.75%
Contractor Schedule: Reed & Reed completed paving northbound for phase 1 and will begin paving southbound. They completed the closure pour between the tunnel sections and the building foundation. Over the next several weeks they will pave southbound, back fill the building, set the building first floor joists and column, install light pole foundations and street lighting conduit runs. They will also begin setting temporary concrete barrier northbound, loam side slopes in preparation to switch the northbound traffic into phase two mid-September.
Reed & Reed has set all sections of the tunnel for the first phase of the project. They have installed several sign foundations and are currently working on the toll building foundation.
RJ Grondin continues to place, grade, and compact Type A gravel.
Pike Industries has started north bound base paving in locations where the Type A gravel has been finished. Paving and foundation work will continue for the next few weeks.
Based on Reed and Reed’s latest schedule expect traffic to be moved to the new outside lanes sometime in early September so work can begin on median highway speed lanes.
