HUDSON – Drivers who normally use Route 43 east of Hudson should allow extra travel time Sept. 12-15, according to the Maine Department of Transportation.

Starting Wednesday, Sept. 12, DOT maintenance workers will close a portion of Route 43 while they replace a large culvert.

“We need to replace a culvert that crosses beneath Route 43, about 1.7 miles east of the junction with Route 221 [Roger’s Market]. The old culvert has deteriorated over time and needs to be replaced,” said Jim Gudroe of the DOT’s Region 4 office in Bangor, where the work is being coordinated. Given the recent dry weather, conditions are favorable for DOT maintenance workers to get in and complete the culvert replacement quickly.

“The culvert is 4 feet across and about 70 feet long. The most efficient, safest and quickest way to replace it is to close the road completely while we do the work,” Gudroe noted. “We’ll be closing Route 43 to through-traffic beginning on the morning of Wednesday, September 12, and reopening the road by Saturday, September 15, assuming that all goes well.”

Residents and others needing access to properties along the closed section of Route 43 still will have local access, but no through-traffic will be allowed, Gudroe said. “Drivers can still use the closed portion of the road from each end to the actual work area, but no traffic will be allowed through the work area itself.”

While the project is in progress, motorists will be able to follow a detour route that uses Route 221 and local roads, around Pushaw Lake, to connect Hudson village with the Orono-Old Town area. Signs will be in place to direct drivers traveling in either direction.

For more information, contact Gudroe at 441-7871 or by e-mail at Region4.mainedot@maine.gov.