Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page [ [link removed] ]. | You are subscribed to MaineDOT News Releases

For More Information:
Paul Merrill, Public Information Officer - 207-624-3355 or 207-215-9297

________________________________________________________________________

The "Veranda Plan" Is Finished [ [link removed] ] 11/29/2022 08:46 AM EST
PORTLAND - Construction on the Maine Department of Transportation's Veranda Street Bridge Replacement Project the "Veranda Plan" is now substantially complete. This project involved the rapid replacement of the interstate bridge that carries I-295 over Veranda Street in Portland over the course of a single weekend. The work also involved the reconfiguration of the roadways underneath the bridge to increase safety, provide enhanced bicycle and pedestrian accommodations, and create opportunities for a public green space along the waterfront.

The Veranda Street Bridge carries I-295 over Route 1/Veranda Street (between Exits 9 and 10) in Portland. It is one of the most heavily travelled corridors in the State of Maine. On an average day, 50,000 vehicles use the interstate bridge. The old bridge was 61 years old and structurally deficient. The new bridge is designed to last 100 years.

MaineDOT used an innovative Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) technique designed to reduce long-term traffic disruptions. Conventional bridge construction techniques would have involved the construction of a temporary bridge and would have likely created daily traffic congestion on I-295 for up to four years. This ABC method reduced significant traffic impacts to a period of 60 hours. With the help of Burgess Advertising & Marketing of Falmouth, MaineDOT launched a public awareness campaign, urging people to make their own "Veranda Plan" to avoid the area during the closure weekend. These efforts were critical to minimizing traffic delays while the interstate was closed. The old roadway geometry underneath the interstate bridge was confusing and contributed to a high incidence of crashes at the intersection of Veranda Street and the I-295 southbound on-ramp. Part of this project involved a reconfiguration of that roadway. Modern signalized intersections at the end of the Exit 9 ramps will improve safety for all users. The reconfigured Veranda Street consists of two 11-foot-wide vehicle travel lanes, two five-foot-wide bicycle lanes, a five-foot-wide sidewalk on the north side of the roadway, and a multi-use path on the south side that extends to the Martin's Point Bridge. Nearly 1.5 acres of what was previously roadway and median can now be used for green space. The City of Portland will be overseeing further work along the waterfront.

Planning for MaineDOT's Veranda Street Bridge Replacement Project began in 2016. Construction began in March 2021. The interstate closure weekend occurred this past April. Final paving began in October and is now finished.

The construction contract for this project was approximately $18.1 million. The total project cost (including engineering and design work) was approximately $20.8 million.

HNTB Corporation of South Portland was the design firm for this project. Cianbro of Pittsfield was the prime contractor. Shaw Brothers Construction of Gorham performed the earthwork and bridge demolition.

MaineDOT is extremely grateful to everyone who helped make this project a success. Department staff and our contracting partners all worked as one team to get this important work done safely and on schedule. The City of Portland, the Town of Falmouth, and the Maine Turnpike Authority also played key roles. Most importantly, MaineDOT would like to thank our customers: the people who live, work, and travel in our state. These customers especially those who live and work near the project site have been extremely patient and understanding throughout the course of this important work. Thank you all. body { font-size: 1em; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; color: #333333; } ________________________________________________________________________

"A free service provided to you by" MaineDOT [ [link removed] ]
   Questions ? Contact Us [ [link removed] ]

STAY CONNECTED:   Sign up for email updates [ [link removed] ] [ [link removed] ]   Visit us on Facebook [ [link removed] ]  Bookmark and Share [ [link removed] ]

SUBSCRIBER SERVICES:
Manage Preferences [ [link removed] ]  |  Unsubscribe [ [link removed] ]  |  Help [ [link removed] ] 

MAINEDOT.GOV:
MaineDOT Website [ [link removed] ]

MAINE.GOV:
The official website of the State of Maine Home [ [link removed] ]  |  Online Services [ [link removed] ]  |  Privacy Policy [ [link removed] ]

________________________________________________________________________

This message was sent to [email protected] by Maine.gov the official website for the State of Maine · 45 Commerce Drive, Suite 10 · Augusta, ME 04330 · 1-877-212-6500 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]