Schedule & Updates

PART-TIME SHOULDER USE

Part-Time Shoulder Use - 10/31/23

Piscataqua River Bridge

BRIDGE UPDATE – 3/22/22

KITTERY – The Maine Department of Transportation plans to complete all construction work on the Piscataqua River (I-95) Bridge in Kittery two months ahead of schedule.

The bridge project contractor, SPS New England, will be conducting final road striping operations in the coming weeks. All physical work on the bridge is expected to be finished by the end of March.

The goal of this project has been to improve safety and mobility on Maine’s most important bridge and preserve the structure for another 50 years of use. Construction work on this project started in May 2019 and was scheduled to be finished by May 2022. Lower-than-normal traffic volumes during the COVID-19 pandemic allowed for a faster construction schedule.

This bridge construction work has prepared the structure for an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) project, which will allow part-time shoulder use during peak travel times. This ITS project is expected to continue until April 2023.

The construction contract on the bridge project was $53 million. The estimated total cost for the bridge project (including engineering, police coverage, and communications) is $61.8 million.

The Piscataqua River (I-95) Bridge project is part of the “Maine Ahead:  Building a Better Gateway” project – a collaboration involving MaineDOT, the Maine Turnpike Authority, and the New Hampshire Department of Transportation. The goal of the project is to revitalize and rehabilitate the travel corridor that welcomes millions of commuters, travelers, and freight drivers to Maine every year. The initiative focuses on two major construction projects on the I-95 corridor:  the Piscataqua River (I-95) Bridge and the York Toll Plaza. The toll plaza work involves making safety improvements and creating the ability to allow highway-speed tolling. The bridge work will extend the life of the bridge, add needed safety improvements, and prepare the structure for breakdown-lane travel during peak travel periods.

In 2018, 37 million tourists visited Maine – a 33-percent increase from 2012 tourism numbers. During normal times, 78,000 vehicles cross the Piscataqua River Bridge every day, and in the summer, that daily traffic number can climb to 130,000 vehicles. More than 15 million transactions occur at the York Toll Plaza each year. In 2019, on Labor Day weekend alone, nearly 250,000 transactions occurred at the York Toll Plaza, with 187,000 being captured electronically.

For the latest information, visit www.buildingabettergateway.com, and follow @MaineAheadNews on Facebook and Twitter.

Bridge Update – 1/21/22

The Maine Department of Transportation will be closing travel lanes on the Piscataqua River (I-95) Bridge in Kittery next week to accommodate overhead sign work.

Between Monday, January 24th and Thursday, January 27th, the contractor plans to close the left lane on the southbound side between 7:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. and the right two lanes on the northbound side between 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

In addition to these closures, there will be intermittent rolling roadblocks, which may slow both north and southbound traffic. These closures will be necessary to maintain the safety of the crews as they work to install the overhead signage. These closures will begin in New Hampshire near mile marker 15.

The northbound Exit 1 and Exit 2 off-ramps will experience night closures during this time, but both off-ramps will never be closed at the same time.

As with all outdoor construction work, this schedule is heavily dependent on the weather.

The goal of this project is to improve safety and mobility on Maine’s most important bridge and preserve the structure for another 50 years of use. This work is also preparing the bridge for an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) project, which will allow part-time shoulder use during peak travel times.

This project started in May 2019 and is expected to be finished by May 2022.

Bridge Update – 11/5/21

Crews continue to conduct striping and bridge joint work on the Piscataqua River (I-95) bridge. The contractor is planning to make the following traffic changes to accommodate work on the bridge and its approaches.

Northbound:

  • Between Sunday, November 7th and Tuesday, November 9th, traffic on the bridge will be reduced to a single lane between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
  • On Wednesday, November 10th, traffic on the bridge will be reduced to a single lane from 7:00 p.m. to midnight.

Southbound:

  • Between Monday, November 8th and Tuesday, November 9th, traffic on the bridge will be reduced to a single lane between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
  • On Wednesday, November 10th, traffic on the bridge will be reduced to a single lane from 7:00 p.m. to midnight.

There will also be temporary on- and off-ramp closures to accommodate striping work. These closures will happen at Exits 2 and 3 on the Maine Turnpike and at Exit 7/Market Street in New Hampshire. The closures should be relatively short.

There will be no work on the project on Veterans Day – Thursday, November 11th.

As with all outdoor construction work, this schedule is heavily dependent on the weather.

The goal of this project is to improve safety and mobility on Maine’s most important bridge and preserve the structure for another 50 years of use. This work is also preparing the bridge for an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) project, which will allow part-time shoulder use during peak travel times.

This project started in May 2019 and is expected to be finished by May 2022.

Bridge Update – 10/29/21

KITTERY – Crews continue to conduct striping and bridge joint work on the Piscataqua River (I-95) bridge. The contractor is planning to make the following traffic changes to accommodate work on the bridge and its approaches.

Northbound:

  • Between Sunday, October 31st and Thursday, November 4th, traffic on the bridge will be reduced to a single lane between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.

Southbound:

  • Between Monday, November 1st and Friday, November 5th, traffic on the bridge will be reduced to a single lane between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.

There will also be temporary on- and off-ramp closures to accommodate striping work. These closures will happen at Exits 2 and 3 on the Maine Turnpike and at Exit 7/Market Street in New Hampshire. The closures should be relatively short.

As with all outdoor construction work, this schedule is heavily dependent on the weather.

The goal of this project is to improve safety and mobility on Maine’s most important bridge and preserve the structure for another 50 years of use. This work is also preparing the bridge for an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) project, which will allow part-time shoulder use during peak travel times.

This project started in May 2019 and is expected to be finished by May 2022.

Bridge Update – 10/25/21

Crews continue to conduct striping and bridge joint work on the Piscataqua River (I-95) bridge. The contractor is planning to make the following traffic changes to accommodate work on the bridge and its approaches.

Northbound:

  • Between Sunday, October 24th and Friday, October 29th, traffic on the bridge will be reduced to a single lane between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.

Southbound:

  • Between Monday, October 25th and Friday, October 29th, traffic on the bridge will be reduced to a single lane between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.

There will also be temporary on- and off-ramp closures to accommodate striping work. These closures will happen at Exits 2 and 3 on the Maine Turnpike and at Exit 7/Market Street in New Hampshire. The closures should be relatively short.

As with all outdoor construction work, this schedule is heavily dependent on the weather.

The goal of this project is to improve safety and mobility on Maine’s most important bridge and preserve the structure for another 50 years of use. This work is also preparing the bridge for an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) project, which will allow part-time shoulder use during peak travel times.

This project started in May 2019 and is expected to be finished by May 2022.

Bridge Update – 10/8/21

For the holiday weekend, there will be 3 lanes open for traffic on the Piscataqua River Bridge from Friday morning, October 8th through Tuesday night, October 12th.

The following lane closures are scheduled to take place to accommodate paving work. These closures are subject to change pending weather conditions:

Northbound

  • The bridge will be down to one lane of traffic from Tuesday, October 12th through Thursday,  October 14th from 7 PM until 7 AM

Southbound  

  • The bridge will be down to one lane of traffic from Tuesday, October 12th through Friday, October 15th from 7 PM until 7 AM

As always, please drive safely and adhere to posted speed limits, and use extreme caution while navigating work zones. Thank you for your patience and cooperation as our teams work hard to complete this important work

Bridge Update – 10/1/21

Final paving operations on the Piscataqua River (I-95) Bridge in Kittery are scheduled to continue next week. This part of the “Maine Ahead” project remains approximately six weeks ahead of schedule. Final paving had originally been scheduled for early 2022. The contractor, SPS New England, is now planning to make the following traffic changes to accommodate final paving work on the bridge and its approaches.

Northbound:

  • Traffic on the bridge will be reduced to a single lane from Sunday, October 3rd through Thursday, October 7th between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.

Southbound:

  • Traffic on the bridge will be reduced to two lanes from 11:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 3rd through 5:00 a.m. on Monday, October 4th.
  • Traffic on the bridge will be reduced to a single lane from Monday, October 4th through Thursday, October 7th between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.

As with all outdoor construction work, this schedule is heavily dependent on the weather. There will be no traffic closures between the morning of Friday, October 8th through the evening of Tuesday, October 12th.

The goal of this project is to improve safety and mobility on Maine’s most important bridge and preserve the structure for another 50 years of use. This work is also preparing the bridge for an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) project, which will allow part-time shoulder use during peak travel times.

This project started in May 2019 and is expected to be finished by May 2022.

Bridge Update – 9/30/21

This week on the Piscataqua River Bridge, the following lane closures are scheduled to take place to accommodate paving work. These closures are subject to change pending weather conditions:

Northbound:

  • The bridge will be down to one lane of traffic from Sunday, October 3rd thru Thursday, October 7th from 8 PM until 7 AM

Southbound:

  • The bridge will be down to two lanes of traffic on Sunday, October 3rd from 11 PM until 5 AM.
  • The bridge will be down to one lane of traffic  from Monday, October 4th thru Friday, October 8th from 8 PM until 7 AM

Thank you for your patience and cooperation as our teams work hard to complete this important work. As always, please drive safely and use extreme caution while navigating work zones and adhere to posted speed limits.

Bridge Update – 9/24/21

KITTERY – The Maine Department of Transportation will be closing the I-95 northbound Exit 7 on-ramp in Portsmouth, New Hampshire for five days next week to accommodate continued paving operations on the Piscatacqua River (I-95) Bridge and its approaches. The Exit 7 on-ramp will close at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 26th and reopen by 7:00 a.m. on Friday, October 1st. There will be a signed detour route and a police presence. This ramp closure is necessary to increase safety for our crews and members of the traveling public.

This part of the “Maine Ahead” project remains approximately six weeks ahead of schedule. Final paving had originally been scheduled for early 2022. The contractor, SPS New England, is also planning to make the following closures to accommodate final paving work on the bridge and its approaches.

The northbound right lane will close during the following periods:

  • 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 26th to 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 29th
  • 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 29th to 7:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 30th
  • 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 30th to 7:00 a.m. on Friday, October 1st

The northbound middle lane will close during the following periods:

  • 11:00 p.m. on Monday, September 27th to 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 28th
  • 11:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 28th to 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 29th

The southbound right lane will close during the following periods:

  • 11:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 26th to 5:00 a.m. on Monday, September 27th
  • 7:00 p.m. on Monday, September 27th to 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 28th
  • 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 28th to 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 29th
  • 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 29th to 5:00 a.m. on Friday, October 1st
  • 8:00 p.m. on Friday, October 1st to 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 2nd

The southbound middle lane will close during the following periods:

  • 7:00 p.m. on Monday, September 27th to 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 28th
  • 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 28th to 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 29th
  • 10:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 30th to 4:00 a.m. on Friday, October 1st

As with all outdoor construction work, this schedule is heavily dependent on the weather.

The goal of this project is to improve safety and mobility on Maine’s most important bridge and preserve the structure for another 50 years of use. This work is also preparing the bridge for an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) project, which will allow part-time shoulder use during peak travel times.

This project started in May 2019 and is expected to be finished by May 2022.

Bridge Update – 9/14/21

Final Paving on Piscataqua River (I-95) Bridge in Kittery

KITTERY – Final paving operations on the Piscatacqua River (I-95) Bridge in Kittery are scheduled to begin next week. This part of the “Maine Ahead” project remains approximately six weeks ahead of schedule. Final paving had originally been scheduled for early 2022. The contractor, SPS New England, is now planning to make the following closures to accommodate final paving work on the bridge and its approaches.

The northbound left lane will close during the following periods:

  • 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 19th to 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 22nd
  • 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 22nd to 7:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 23rd
  • 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 23rd to 7:00 a.m. on Friday, September 24th

The northbound middle lane will close at 11:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 21st and reopen by 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 22nd.

The southbound left lane will close during the following periods:

  • 11:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 19th to 5:00 a.m. on Monday, September 20th
  • 7:00 p.m. on Monday, September 20th to 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 21st
  • 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 21st to 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 22nd
  • 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 22nd to 5:00 a.m. on Friday, September 24th
  • 8:00 p.m. on Friday, September 24th to 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 25th

The southbound middle lane will close at 10:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 23rd and reopen by 4:00 a.m. on Friday, September 24th.

As with all outdoor construction work, this schedule is heavily dependent on the weather.

The goal of this project is to improve safety and mobility on Maine’s most important bridge and preserve the structure for another 50 years of use. This work is also preparing the bridge for an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) project, which will allow part-time shoulder use during peak travel times.

This project started in May 2019 and is expected to be finished by May 2022.

Bridge Update – 5/27/21

The “Maine Ahead” project on the Piscatacqua River (I-95) Bridge in Kittery is entering its third and final year on time and on budget. This project is improving safety and mobility on Maine’s most important bridge and will preserve the structure for another 50 years of use. This work is also preparing the bridge for an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) project, which will allow part-time shoulder use during peak travel times.

Work on the new bridge joints is finished, the bridge deck is 79 percent complete, the barriers are 49 percent complete, and the paving work is 43 percent complete. To date, crews have placed 3,400 cubic yards of concrete and used 417,000 pounds of steel. This project started in May 2019 and is expected to be finished by May 2022.

During the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, all six travel lanes (three on each side) will be open to traffic from Thursday, May 27th at 6:00 p.m. through Tuesday, June 1st at 5:30 a.m.

“Maine Ahead” Virtual Public Meeting – March 24, 2021 6pm

AUGUSTA – The Maine Department of Transportation will be assisting the New Hampshire Department of Transportation and the Maine Turnpike Authority with a virtual public meeting to discuss the ongoing “Maine Ahead” project on the Piscataqua River (I-95) Bridge. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss capacity improvements to the interstate during peak travel times by allowing travel on the low-speed shoulder as needed. The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. and will be conducted via Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/95253526733?pwd=S3hiNmhOcS9URlRFaURQZHBubU0xUT09. Presentation materials and the meeting link will be located on the NHDOT website: https://www.nh.gov/dot/projects/portsmouthyork16189b/index.htm.

Bridge Update – 2/26/21

KITTERY – The Maine Department of Transportation and its contracting partners will be closing the left travel lanes on both sides of the Piscataqua River (I-95) Bridge on Sunday, February 28th. Crews will close the left lane on the northbound side at 7:00 p.m. and the left lane on the southbound side at 10:00 p.m. These closures are happening to accommodate work on bridge joints. We expect both left travel lanes will remain closed until the bridge joint work is finished in May.

Additionally, crews will be closing the middle lanes on both the northbound and southbound sides nightly between Sunday, February 28th and Friday, March 5th.

Traffic volumes on the bridge remain down between 20 and 25 percent compared to pre-pandemic levels. That drop in traffic has created safer working conditions for our crews and contractors. Decreased traffic levels have also helped our productivity. We will no longer need to close the northbound Exit 7 on-ramp as originally planned.

We want to remind drivers to pay attention and drive carefully in construction work zones. Lanes are narrower, and our crews are working close to traffic. We continue to appreciate the patience and understanding of the members of the traveling public as we work on these important safety improvements.

Bridge Update – 11/19/20

PORTSMOUTH – As part of the ongoing work to make safety improvements on the Piscataqua River (I-95) Bridge, crews will be closing the Exit 7 northbound on-ramp overnight tonight. The ramp closure is scheduled between 7:00 p.m. tonight and 6:00 a.m. tomorrow morning. Traffic will be diverted to the signed truck detour route that is currently in place. This closures is necessary to ensure the safety of work crews and the traveling public during a traffic shift.

This bridge work is part of the “Maine Ahead” project, which involves the Maine and New Hampshire Departments of Transportation as well as the Maine Turnpike Authority. The improvements on the Piscataqua River Bridge and at the York Toll Plaza will revitalize Maine’s southern gateway. High-speed tolling will be available in York, and part-time shoulder use will be an option on the bridge.

Drivers should obey work-zone speed limits and be alert and careful while passing our crews. Our primary focus is the safety of both our crews and the traveling public.

Bridge Update – 11/13/20

KITTERY – Work on the Piscataqua River (I-95) Bridge will result in significant lane closures and traffic shifts next week to accommodate median work. This median work is expected to continue until October 2021.

Beginning at 5:30 a.m. on Monday, November 16th, crews will be closing the southbound right travel lane. The contractor will close another lane at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 17th to accommodate a traffic shift. The southbound side will be back open to two lanes by 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 18th. The southbound left travel lane on the bridge will remain closed. Crews will open the bridge to three lanes (closer to the outside edge of the bridge) by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, November 20th.

The northbound right travel lane is already closed. The contractor will close another lane at 10:00 p.m. on Friday, November 20th to accommodate a traffic shift. The northbound side will be back open to two lanes by 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 21st. The northbound left travel lane on the bridge will remain closed. Crews will open the bridge to three lanes (closer to the outside edge of the bridge) by 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 21st.

Like all outdoor construction work, this schedule is heavily dependent on weather conditions.

This bridge work is part of the “Maine Ahead” project, which also involves the Maine Turnpike Authority and the New Hampshire Department of Transportation. The improvements on the Piscataqua River Bridge and at the York Toll Plaza will revitalize Maine’s southern gateway. High-speed tolling will be available in York, and part-time shoulder use will be an option on the bridge.

Drivers should obey work-zone speed limits and be alert and careful while passing our crews. Our primary focus is the safety of both our crews and the traveling public.

Bridge Update – 10/19/20

Fall is officially here, and with reduced traffic on the Maine Turnpike and the Piscataqua River Bridge, our team can spend more time getting needed repairs accomplished. This means that you might see more lane closures during specific times – always with an eye toward keeping traffic moving as smoothly as possible while also keeping our workers safe. Beginning Monday, October 19th, at 6:00 a.m., the right, northbound travel lane will be closed over the Piscataqua River Bridge to accommodate shoulder widening and paving. This closure is expected to last approximately two to three weeks. Also, please remember to use additional caution at  Exit 7 in New Hampshire as traffic merges onto the bridge.

Bridge Update – 7/13/20

All six lanes will be open on the Piscataqua River Bridge for at least the next two weeks. Remember: if you’re visiting Maine, please make sure to go to www.maine.gov/covid19/ for details on testing and self-quarantine guidelines for out-of-state visitors.

Bridge Update – 2/21/20

Beginning on Monday, February 24th, the “Maine Ahead” project will begin a new phase of safety improvement work on the Piscataqua River Bridge. Crews will be replacing bridge joints that date back to the original construction of the bridge a half-century ago.

This phase of joint replacement work will require the right travel lane to be closed on the southbound side of the bridge. This closure will restrict the southbound side of the bridge to two lanes. It will not be reopened to three lanes until this phase of the joint replacement work is complete.

In a few weeks, we will begin joint replacement work on the northbound side of the bridge as well. This work will require a similar right travel lane closure on the northbound side. We need to close these lanes to be able to work on the bridge joints. These traffic restrictions are also necessary for the safety of our crews and the traveling public.

We hope to be able to reopen these travel lanes as soon as this phase of the bridge joint replacements is complete, but these traffic restrictions could last through mid-May. We are committed to keeping three lanes of travel open on both sides of the bridge during peak travel periods (between mid-May and the day after Labor Day).

We continue to appreciate the patience and understanding of the members of the traveling public as we work on these important safety improvements.

 

Bridge Update – 10/21/19

TRAFFIC UPDATE:
The Southbound right lane on the Piscataqua River Bridge will be closed from 6am on Monday, October 21st through 2pm on Friday, October 25th. A Northbound lane will also be closed from the NH side of the bridge through mile marker 2, as well as the exit 7 entrance ramp, from 9pm through 7am each night through 10/25.

Additionally, we will be closing the Exit 1 off-ramp in Maine beginning on Thursday, October 24th. This ramp will remain closed for the duration of the project which is projected to be substantially complete in October of 2021.

Thank you for your patience!

Bridge Update – 10/15/19

LANE CLOSURE: A southbound lane on the Piscataqua River Bridge will be closed from 6am on Wednesday, October 16th through 2pm on Friday, October 18th. The Exit 7 entrance ramp to I-95 Northbound will also be closed on Wednesday Night (10/16) to layout pavement markings & barrier.

From 9pm through 7am, an I-95 northbound lane will also be closed from the NH side of the bridge through mile marker 2. These closures will occur on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights (October 15th-18th) to install traffic signs and pavement markings. Thank you for your patience!

Bridge Project Update 8/2/2019

TRAFFIC UPDATE: During the week of August 4th,  crews will be closing one lane on I-95 from Mile 2 southbound across the Piscataqua River Bridge. The lane closure will be AT NIGHT ONLY (from 7 pm – 5 am) Monday through Thursday. Hydro demolition begins this week, which unfortunately is a noisy process. This will continue for two weeks.  After those two weeks, only regular construction noise is anticipated.  We apologize for the inconvenience.

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 – 9/14/21

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New Open Road Toll Plaza Opening on September 15th – Drivers need to be aware of traffic pattern shifts as the old plaza is removed

Drivers traveling to and through the new southernmost toll plaza on the Maine Turnpike need to be aware of a series of traffic lane pattern changes that will occur once the new toll plaza at Mile 8.8 goes online the morning of September 15.

At 12:01 AM on Wednesday, Maine Turnpike Authority will throw the switch to activate the new, high-tech toll plaza at Mile 8.8 in York. That action will be in synch with deactivating the former York toll plaza a mile and a half south where construction crews will begin dismantling the historic 52-year-old southern gateway to Maine.

At the older York toll plaza, at Mile 7.3, the initial demolition will begin with the toll plaza canopy, removing it in three steps. During this time, lane pattern changes will allow the contractor, Sargent, to remove the entire structure sequentially and safely. During this process, drivers will have to navigate their way through the now dormant tollbooth lanes, and obey a 10-mile-per-hour speed limit to ensure that vehicles can travel through the passageways smoothly.

The speed limit between the old and new toll plazas is also reduced to 55 mph, and wide-loads are prohibited until after September 23.

The three traffic lane arrangements are:

  • STEP ONE
    Southbound traffic will be diverted through the five center tollbooth lanes. Northbound traffic stays to the right driving through the four former tollbooth lanes. DO NOT STOP. All vehicles will then continue on to the new toll plaza 1.5 miles ahead.
  • STEP TWO
    Northbound traffic and vehicles entering the highway via the Spur Road on-ramp will be diverted through the center tollbooth lanes. Southbound traffic stays to the right driving through the five former tollbooth lanes. DO NOT STOP.

  • STEP THREE
    Canopy removal moves to the center lanes. Southbound traffic stays to the right through five outside tollbooth lanes. Northbound traffic stays to the right through four outside tollbooth lanes. DO NOT STOP.

Drivers approaching the old plaza should keep within the orange construction barrels marking the travel lanes and be particularly aware of other vehicles, especially when approaching narrow tollbooth lanes.

Each step will allow workers to safely isolate construction areas and remove the canopy roof above the old tollbooth lanes section by section without interrupting the flow of traffic in either direction.

In Step Three, with traffic now confined to the outside lanes, contractors will remove the center canopy and establish a secure work area in which all of the former toll plaza structures will be cleared away and six new highway lanes will be constructed.

Once those six highway lanes are completed, this configuration will be in place throughout the winter months, and drivers will proceed north and south through this new section at a reduced speed of 55 miles per hour, as workers remove the remaining outside tollbooths.

“We’ve worked side-by-side with our highway engineering team to create a safe and logical sequence of lane changes and deconstruction steps to minimize the inconvenience to turnpike travelers and maximize their safety,” said Erin Courtney, Public Outreach Manager for the Maine Turnpike Authority. “We’re asking all drivers to help us achieve that by driving cautiously and obeying reduced speed limits in this construction zone.”

The toll plaza demolition project, estimated at $12.2 million, was awarded to Sargent Corporation of Stillwater, Maine in July of this year. It is scheduled to be completed in October of 2022.

According to Peter Mills, the Turnpike’s Executive Director, the split-second hand off of responsibility from the former toll plaza to the new facility reflects the technological leap the Maine Turnpike takes with the launch of York’s new toll plaza. “Creating a toll plaza that combines the congestion moderating benefits of six highway-speed tolling lanes and the personal touch of having 24-hour toll booth staff within what was chosen as a safer location in terms of visibility for drivers approaching the plaza, we have a state-of-the-art, safer, and more efficient transportation facility that all of Maine can be proud of,” said Mills. “It’s another, very exciting milestone in the history of the Turnpike.”

The cruise-through, open-road-tolling lanes at the newly built York Toll Plaza bring the number of such facilities on the Maine Turnpike to five with a sixth scheduled to open in West Gardiner later this fall.

Plaza Project Update – 7/16/21

Looking north through the southbound cash lanes.
Looking north through the southbound cash lanes.
Aerial view of new York tolls
Crews are putting the finishing touches on the booths and canopy.

Contractor Schedule:

Reed & Reed continues to make progress and complete punch list items.  Concrete and paving work is complete at this time.  Some final striping remains.  The new ground mount signs are anticipated to be installed by mid-August.  The large overhead signs are scheduled to be installed the week prior to the new toll plaza opening (early September).  A final walkthrough of the toll building is scheduled for July 27th.

Plaza Project Update – 5/27/21

Paving crew
Pike’s paving crew paving the northbound cash lanes, north of the new plaza, looking north.

Contractor: Reed & Reed, Inc.

Contractor Schedule: 
Reed & Reed finished up their remaining concrete placements recently for the toll plaza.  Their crews are working on wiring and concrete finishes within the cash lanes and the tunnel.  The roofing sub-contractor has completed the southbound canopy and has swapped over to the northbound canopy.  Electricians, HVAC professionals, and tolling operators continue to work on the booths and tunnel; making connections and finishing various component installations.  The paving contractor has been paving steadily as weather allows.  They hope to start paving surface within the ORT lanes the week of May 31. The earthwork crews continue to finish grade slopes and install loam around the project as the project progresses.

Plaza Project Update – 5/27/21

The “Maine Ahead” project on the Piscatacqua River (I-95) Bridge in Kittery is entering its third and final year on time and on budget. This project is improving safety and mobility on Maine’s most important bridge and will preserve the structure for another 50 years of use. This work is also preparing the bridge for an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) project, which will allow part-time shoulder use during peak travel times.

Work on the new bridge joints is finished, the bridge deck is 79 percent complete, the barriers are 49 percent complete, and the paving work is 43 percent complete. To date, crews have placed 3,400 cubic yards of concrete and used 417,000 pounds of steel. This project started in May 2019 and is expected to be finished by May 2022.

During the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, all six travel lanes (three on each side) will be open to traffic from Thursday, May 27th at 6:00 p.m. through Tuesday, June 1st at 5:30 a.m.

Traffic volumes are still between 10 and 20 percent below what they were before the pandemic, but they are slowly returning to normal. As Maine enters its peak tourist season, the Maine Department of Transportation is urging drivers to obey posted speed limits and stay alert behind the wheel.

Plaza Project Update – 4/27/21

Construction Image of Plaza
In the background, Reed & Reed is working on the canopy wiring for the tolling system.

Contractor: Reed & Reed, Inc.

Project Schedule: Completion date June 21, 2021.

Contractor Schedule: 
Reed & Reed crews continue to make progress working on the remaining concrete portions of the north and southbound toll plazas. Their mechanical subcontractors are working on the heating, cooling, and plumbing systems. TransCore, the tolling consultant has been on site working with Reed & Reed electricians to get communication wiring and other tolling equipment integrated into the new facility. Grondin has been grading the median shoulders adjacent to the median concrete barrier in preparation for spring paving. If the weather continues to improve, crews should be paving onsite before the end of April. Along the outsides of the highway, guardrail crews are working on new guardrail and right of way fences.  Given some of the limitations from the pandemic, additional time may be needed for final completion.

Plaza Project Update – 3/19/21

 

Contractor:    Reed & Reed, Inc.

Bid Amount: $ 39,484,431

Project Schedule: Completion date June 21, 2021.

Contractor Schedule:  Reed & Reed crews continue to work on median concrete barrier, toll booths, highway lighting, and tunnel electrical work.  Many highway sign foundations have been installed and will continue to be installed as weather allows. Mechanical contractors are up fitting the booths with heat and air conditioning.  They are also running service lines to these systems as well from the controls inside the tunnel.  TransCore has been installing pieces of the tolling system along side Reed & Reed electricians as they make progress towards integrating and completing the electrical and tolling systems.  Over the next few weeks, they will continue to place concrete and sign foundations.

Plaza Project Update – 2/19/21

Contractor:    Reed & Reed, Inc.

structural steel
North Bound canopy structural steel is in place. Crews should install decking in the near future.

Bid Amount: $ 39,484,431

Percent Complete last approved pay estimate: 80.3 %

Project Schedule: Completion date June 21, 2021.

Contractor Schedule: Reed & Reed’s crews continue to work on median concrete barrier, toll booths, highway lighting, and tunnel electrical work. Many highway sign foundations have been installed and will continue to be installed as weather allows. The earth work sub-contractor has mobilized off the site until spring weather arrives. Mechanical contractors are up fitting the booths with heat and air conditioning and are also running service lines to these systems as well from the controls inside the tunnel. TransCore, the tolling contractor, has been installing pieces of the tolling system alongside Reed & Reed electricians as they make progress towards integrating and completing the electrical and tolling systems. Over the winter months Reed & Reed’s crews and sub-contractors will continue placing concrete around the new toll booths, building the canopies, installing conduits, wiring, lighting, and highway signs. Once warmer weather arrives, crews will shift to finishing the remaining earthwork in preparation for paving the cash lanes.

Plaza Project Update – 1/2/21

Contractor Schedule:  Reed & Reed continue to build the outer cash lanes and booths both north and south bound.  Their electricians continue to run wire and make connections to the new booths and inside the tunnel.  RJ Grondin has been assisting with the cash lane construction, excavating for storm water ponds, and prepping the site for median barrier. Paving should resume in mid-April, if the weather conditions are favorable.  Reed & Reed looks to complete this project by mid-June, depending on the weather conditions this spring.

Toll Plaza Construction

Plaza Project Update – 12/11/20

Contractor:    Reed & Reed, Inc.

Project Schedule: Completion date June 21, 2021.

Contractor Schedule:  Reed & Reed crews swapped over to phase III of the project in mid-October.  Since then, crews have been working in the new work areas.  Reed & Reed forces have been building the outer cash lanes and booths both north and south bound.  They’ve had electricians running wire and making connections to the new booths and the tunnel.  RJ Grondin has been working on removing temporary pavement from phase II, assisting with the cash lane construction, digging trenches for highway lighting conduit, installing median drainage, and prepping the site for median barrier.  Pike Industries recently stopped paving for the year due to winter work restrictions.  Up until then, they had been milling and shimming main line and cash lane locations, bringing the grades and cross slopes up to the new design requirements.  Reed & Reed looks to complete this project by mid-June, if the spring weather is favorable.

Plaza Project Update – 10/9/20

Lighting above the highway
Northbound ORT lanes with striping. The contractor is hooking up lighting in the background.

Contractor:    Reed & Reed, Inc.                                 Bid Amount: $ 39,484,431

Project Schedule: Completion date June 21, 2021.

Contractor Schedule:  The contractor continues to set light poles and hook up lights along the Open Road Toll (ORT) or high-speed lanes prior to opening them up for traffic.  Their sub-contractor, Pike Industries, continues to place surface pavement along the northern end of the project within the ORT lanes as well.  Many locations have been striped for the next phase’s traffic pattern.  TransCore wrapped up the commissioning or testing of the high-speed lanes the first week in October.  This will allow the contractor to swap the project into Phase III.  The contractor anticipates that this will happen the week of October 18th. During Phase III, traffic will travel through the ORT lanes while the cash lanes are being constructed.  At the same time along the southern end of the project, traffic will be shifted to the outside lanes.  This provides space within the median for the barrier to be constructed.  The project will stay in this phase throughout the winter. Tolls will not be collected through the ORT lanes, they will still be collected at the current York Toll Plaza.

Plaza Project Update – 8/28/20

Toll booth progress
Phase 2 North-bound cash lane toll booths are starting to take shape. Lane 7 shown

Contractor: Reed & Reed, Inc.

Bid Amount: $ 39,484,431

Project Schedule: Completion date June 21, 2021.

Contractor Schedule: Crews continue to work on the cash lanes and toll booths outside the ORT while prep work and layout for surface paving inside the ORT lanes begins. The paving sub-contractor has been paving the widening areas in preparation for phase 3 traffic control, south of the new toll plaza. This will include traffic being shifted to the outer lanes while crews install drainage and concrete median barriers during the fall and winter months. TransCore is working on the commissioning of the newly installed ORT hardware. They have done several test runs and are currently making adjustments to improve accuracy before running additional tests.

Plaza Project Update – 7/17/20

construction workers
Verifying bottom of slab grades for the toll booth in cash lane #3, south bound.

Contractor:    Reed & Reed, Inc.

Project Schedule: Completion date June 21, 2021.

Progress to Date:  Crews are currently installing granite curb around island 4, forming the curtain wall in lane 16, and have excavated for the canopy columns in lane 3.  The stormwater ponds were recently loamed and seeded and are complete.  Outside the cash lanes, paving crews are placing base and intermediate pavement layers in shoulder areas and in guardrail widening locations north of the toll plaza.   TransCore is working on their newly installed equipment in the ORT lanes.  They have started their initial commissioning.

Plaza Project Update – 3/25/20

Contractors Reed & Reed and RJ Grondin continue to make progress on the new Open Road Toll Plaza in York. Check out what they have been up to.

In the first photo Reed is assisting Grondin as they set the first of the 6 ½ foot tall precast concrete barrier. These barrier segments are too heavy for their excavator requiring a crane for placement. When put in service this barrier will provide positive separation between the southbound cash lanes and the ORT lanes. In the second photo, Grondin is assisting Reed & Reed cast a light pole (LP) barrier segment. This section of LP barrier serves to separate and illuminate the northbound ORT lanes and cash lanes.

 

Construction Work

Construction crane

Plaza Project Update – 2/28/20

The contractor continues to install precast barrier along the ORT lanes and cash lanes.  The NB ORT structure is in place and getting data lines pulled into the conduits.  The SB ORT structure should be going up into place in the next couple weeks, if the weather stays mild.  The contractor continues to make progress inside and outside the toll building.  Outside the building, crews are wrapping up the final trim pieces for the metal roof.  On the inside, electrical, finish plumbing, painting, millwork, data, painting, and ceiling crews are working to bring the interior of the building towards a finished product.  The contractor plans to start firing up the systems within the building in the beginning of March.

 

 

Plaza Project Update – 1/27/20

Reed and Reed placed the south bound ORT slab the first week of the new year. Since then, their crews have been working on adjacent concrete foundations and footings for the overhead tolling structures and other adjacent work. Their sub-contractors have been working on median barrier, drainage, and the toll building. Inside the building, crews are hanging and taping drywall, installing duct work, running communication and electrical wires, and starting to paint as rooms are roughed in. The water has been connected to the building and we are waiting for CMP to connect the building to permanent power. Inside the tunnel, electricians are running wires and working on electrical panels.

Concrete Barrier Construction
R.J. Grondin crew installs precast concrete median barrier south of the new ORT. (Looking south)

Plaza Project Update 12/17/19

Contractor Schedule: The contractor continues to install drilled shafts for the toll system and light poles inside the construction zone.  Crews placed the northbound ORT (Open Road Tolling) concrete slab recently and are preparing to place the southbound slab the week of December 23rd.  Inside the toll building, many trades are working on rough in plumbing, HVAC, and electrical systems.  Concurrently, crews are building walls, installing insulation, and hanging sheetrock.  On the outside, the roofing contractor has been working on the soffit trim.  Reed & Reed is working on traffic control items in between storm events and cold temperatures.

Plaza Project Update 12/17/19

Plaza Project Update – 10/14/19

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.

Plaza Update – 10/1/19

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.

Plaza Project Update – 8/20/19

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.

Plaza Project Update – 7/19/19

Toll Plaza Cash Lane Area
Paving northbound – looking at toll plaza cash lane area

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.

Plaza Project Update – 6/24/19

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.

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.

Plaza Project Update 12/14/2018

Access Road looking toward Turnpike from Chases Pond Road

 

Contractor:    Reed & Reed, Inc.

Bid Amount: $ 39,484,431

Percent Complete last approved pay estimate:     0%

Project Schedule: Completion date June 21, 2021.

Project Update: Reed & Reed has been blasting ledge for the new relocation of the water line for the York Water District. They plan to begin blasting ledge for the new access road from Chases Pond Road to the toll administration building the week of 16th, this blasting will not require any turnpike stops until they are within 300 feet of the highway. The clearing operation is completed. Reed & Reed will begin constructing the new embankments for the new cash lanes.

Plaza Project Update 11/9/2018

Top of the knoll will be the future toll plaza

 

Contractor:    Reed & Reed, Inc.

Bid Amount: $ 39,484,431

Percent Complete last approved pay estimate:     0%

Project Schedule: Completion date June 21, 2021.

Project Update: Reed & Reed has mobilized on site and began flagging clearing limits. Over the next several weeks, they are planning to clear the access road between the turnpike and Chases Pond Road, new waterline relocation and adjacent to the turnpike. They will remove the stumps and soil over the ledge. They are currently planning to begin blasting ledge the beginning of December and it is expected to continue until March.

Watch the progress!

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