Maine Ahead: Building a Better Gateway Community Event

Date: Wednesday, June 26, 2019
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Kittery Community Center, 120 Rogers Rd., Kittery, ME 03904

Representatives of the Maine Turnpike Authority, MaineDOT and the New Hampshire DOT will explain current infrastructure work on the new York Toll Plaza and the Piscataqua River Bridge. They will also discuss the public outreach efforts and answer any questions. Click here to download more information.

Building a Better Gateway

A modernization collaboration between Maine DOT and MTA

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.

Latest Updates

Piscataqua River Bridge

Bridge Project Update 6/13/19

The Exit 1 southbound on-ramp at Dennett Road in Kittery will be closed indefinitely beginning Tuesday, June 18th at 7 p.m. This is being done to accommodate the work on the Piscataqua River Bridge. In addition, the following lane closures will take place on the Piscataqua Bridge the week of June 17th. 

There will be lane closures Monday through Friday nights starting at 7 p.m. and going until 3:30 a.m. the following morning. The lane closures will be in the southbound lanes only. By 7 p.m., traffic may be restricted to two lanes and by 10 p.m., traffic could be restricted to one lane.

The contractor will be re-stripping the lanes from Exit 2 in Maine and across the bridge to the New Hampshire side. During these hours, the contractor will also be installing temporary concrete barriers to close the shoulder on the Maine approach to the bridge.

Bridge Project Update 6/17/19

We will begin setting up traffic control devices and adding temporary striping, with the assistance of the Maine and/or New Hampshire State Police

Bridge Project Update 6/10/19

We will begin installing signs and setting up message boards with the assistance of the Maine and/or the New Hampshire State Police

Bridge Project Update 5/27/19

Working on access to the site on the Kittery side

Bridge Project Update 5/15/2019

Work is expected to begin in June. Check back for more details soon!

York Toll Plaza

Plaza Project Update 5/17/19

Contractor: Reed & Reed, Inc.
Bid Amount: $39,484,431
Percent Complete last approved pay estimate: 14%
Project Schedule: Completion date June 21, 2021
Contractor Schedule: Reed & Reed set the first give pieces of the pre-cast tunnel on the north-bound side. They are preparing to start foundation work for the toll building and are working on sign foundations on the northern end of the project. RJ Grondin continues to process blasted ledge for gravel and is placing type A gravel in anticipation of final grading and base paving in many locations. They continue to install conduit along the access roadway prior to the utility connections. RJ Grondin continues to install pipe extensions in several locations as they widen slopes along the project.

Plaza Project Update 4/22/2019

Contractor removing blasted ledge from the NB plaza approach

 

Contractor:    Reed & Reed, Inc.

Bid Amount: $ 39,484,431

Percent Complete last approved pay estimate:     11%

Project Schedule: Completion date June 21, 2021.

Project Update: Reed & Reed has completed blasting for the widening areas, the tunnel, and the toll building.  RJ Grondin continues to process blasted ledge for gravel to be used on site.  Pre-cast tunnel sections will be arriving by the end of April.  Contractor plans to install the tunnel sections as soon as they arrive on site.

Project Plaza Update 3/26/19

Rock drill rig

 

Contractor:    Reed & Reed, Inc.

Bid Amount: $ 39,484,431

Percent Complete last approved pay estimate:     11%

Project Schedule: Completion date June 21, 2021.

Contractor Schedule: Reed & Reed continues to blast ledge; they are expecting to be done with the production blasting by the end of April. They will continue with some spot blasting into May. RJ Grondin, earth subcontractor, continues to excavate and backfill gravel on the shoulders. Over the next several weeks, they will continue shaping the access road, install underground utilities, blasting and gravel work.

Plaza Project Update 2/19/19

Box cutting shoulder and back filling with gravel

 

Contractor:    Reed & Reed, Inc.

Bid Amount: $ 39,484,431

Percent Complete last approved pay estimate:     6%                       

Project Schedule: Completion date June 21, 2021. 

Contractor Schedule: Reed & Reed completed installation of the relocated water line. They continue to blast ledge, crush the rock into gravel and boxcut the shoulder and install gravel. This work will continue for the next few months.

Plaza Project Update 1/17/2019

Installing waterline

 

Contractor:    Reed & Reed, Inc.

Bid Amount: $ 39,484,431

Percent Complete last approved pay estimate:     4.6%

Project Schedule: Completion date June 21, 2021.

Project Update: Reed & Reed completed blasting ledge on the access road and began crushing rock to make gravel for the project. Blasting will continue, adjacent to the mainline, for the next couple of months. They are planning to perform two blasts a day between 9am and 2pm. They are scheduled to have the waterline relocated for the York Water District before February. Reed and Reed’s subcontractor, RJ Grondin and Son has been busy box cutting shoulder gravel; they have approximately 24 trucks on site.

Watch the progress!

Sign up for Traffic Alerts from MyTrips New England 511.

Sign Up