1/7/2025: Upcoming Traffic Shift on Western Avenue at I-95 in Augusta

News Release for January 7, 2025

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

AUGUSTA - The Maine Department of Transportation will be shifting Western Avenue (Route 202) traffic in Augusta to a temporary bridge over I-95 later this month. Through traffic will be narrowed to two lanes: one eastbound lane and one westbound lane, with a third lane on the bridge specific to the westbound off ramp traffic. This traffic shift is necessary while crews demolish the existing structure and continue construction of a new bridge to carry Western Avenue over the interstate at Exit 109. Vehicles will continue to use the temporary bridge until the new permanent bridge is constructed and opened. The contractor is allowed 11 months to complete this work. Exit 109B from I-95 southbound will also be reopening when traffic shifts to the temporary bridge.

Additionally, westbound traffic will no longer be able to turn left onto Whitten Road. Westbound drivers who want to access Whitten Road can use the southbound interstate on-ramps to access the new connection between the interstate on-ramp and Whitten Road.

The existing Western Avenue bridge is approximately 70 years old. MaineDOT is replacing the structure with a new bridge on a similar alignment. The new bridge will provide additional vertical clearance on the interstate. It will also include sidewalks on both sides of the bridge and approximately 1,350 feet of new sidewalk along Western Avenue and Whitten Road to improve pedestrian access and safety.

On-site construction for this project started in November 2023. All construction is scheduled to be done in June 2026.

The contractor for this project is Reed & Reed, Inc. of Woolwich. The contract amount is approximately $30 million.

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