NEWPORT - The Maine Department of Transportation will be building a roundabout at the intersection of Routes 2 and 7 in Newport to improve safety and mobility in the area.

Construction will begin on Monday, April 14 and is anticipated to be completed by late 2026. This work will involve the full closure of Route 2 at Route 7 within the project area. Construction will begin 0.04 miles East of Lovely Drive and extend East for 0.22 Miles. A detour will be in effect beginning Monday, April 14th and is anticipated to remain through November of this year. Through-traffic on Route 2 will be detoured to High Street and Banks Road. Local traffic on Route 2 can access businesses using High Street. Through-traffic on Route 11 will still be able to pass through the intersection. This is a highway safety improvement project aimed at reducing collisions in a high-crash area.

The contractor for this project is Gordon Contracting, Inc. of Sangerville. The contract amount is approximately $7 million.

MaineDOT will be holding an in-person, open house on Tuesday, April 1st, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Newport Town Hall located at 23 Water Street, Newport Maine, 04953.

MaineDOT invites and encourages all interested members of the public to attend this meeting to get information pertaining to the construction, its intended outcome, and what those changes mean for local residents. Members of the project staff will be on hand to answer questions.