Turnpike exit plan reaches milestone

PORTLAND — A proposal to build a Maine Turnpike exit at the Portland International Jetport advanced Thursday with a preliminary nod from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The corps agreed that the proposed exit across outer Congress Street from the airport was the “least environmentally damaging practicable alternative,” the Maine Turnpike Authority said.

Authority Executive Director Paul E. Violette said the corps’ analysis is a major milestone for the project

“This does not mean that the corps has approved a permit for this project,” said Violette. “It does, however, mean that a single interchange configuration has emerged as the best alternative. Now, we can begin to move this specific alternative through the final stages of the permitting process.”

The authority expects the new exit to cost $8 million to $9 million.

Violette predicted the exit would be one of the busiest on the turnpike.

The turnpike authority would like to begin construction on the new exit in 1997, but must get final permits before work can begin, said Violette.

The project would need permits from both the corps and the state Department of Environmental Protection.