I-95 bridge project moving into next phase

BANGOR – The Maine Department of Transportation’s I-95 Kenduskeag Stream bridge rehabilitation project is almost halfway complete. Early next week, work will shift from the completed southbound bridge to the northbound bridge, which will mean serious traffic slowdowns while the changeover occurs.

Wendell Harriman, Maine DOT resident engineer, said Friday the exact timing of the changeover is dependent on the weather.

“We will try to make the move on Monday the 5th, but if we get much rain before that, it could push the schedule back as far as Wednesday,” Harriman said.

The changeover requires moving concrete Jersey barriers, which involves more than 12 hours work, as well as changing signs, a relatively quick job. Any shift in traffic patterns typically causes significant backups, according to Harriman.

“The last time we did this, on April 4th, traffic was backed up more than three miles,” Harriman said.

The project is progressing according to schedule, but DOT officials remain concerned about the number of motorist crashes. “There have been 11 so far, and five of them have been situated close to the Union Street northbound onramp as motorists have stopped on I-95 to let traffic enter,” said Harriman. When the changeover occurs, he predicts that the Broadway onramp may become the most difficult location. “We are asking motorists to drive particularly carefully around that area,” he said. “Stopping anywhere on I-95 is hazardous, but stopping in long lines of traffic to let motorists enter is extremely dangerous.”

The DOT continues to ask motorists to avoid this section of I-95 whenever possible to reduce traffic congestion. The portion of the project that affects traffic is scheduled to be completed in late June.