News Release for August 10, 2007

Contact: Mike Eldridge, 624-8225

WORK SCHEDULED FOR ROUTE 1 OVERPASS IN BELFAST

The Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) says work on the overpass carrying U.S. Route 1 over Route 3 in Belfast is scheduled to begin the week of August 20th.

“We need to replace the wearing surface, or top layer of the bridge deck, on that overpass.  This is routine maintenance that was scheduled prior to the catastrophic bridge collapse in Minnesota and has no connection to that unfortunate incident,” explains Mike Eldridge, Bridge Manager in MaineDOT’s Region 2 Office, where the work is being coordinated.

“The existing wearing surface has deteriorated over time and needs to be replaced to be sure it continues to protect the structural portion of the deck beneath it.  The new wearing surface will provide that protection and provide a smoother surface for vehicles at the same time,” Eldridge notes.

“The overpass is wide enough that we can maintain two-way traffic during construction, but drivers will see shifts in travel lanes periodically as the work progresses.  That’s why it’s important for drivers to slow down and approach the work area with caution.  The traffic pattern they see on the bridge one day may or may not be the same pattern they’ll see the next time they cross it,” he explains.

Eldridge says advance warning signs will be put up to alert drivers there is a work zone ahead.  “When they see those signs, drivers need to begin slowing down and watching for directional signs and construction flaggers.  It’s for their own safety as well as the safety of our workers,” he says.

While he anticipates that the work will take about 10 weeks to complete, Eldridge stresses that the work is highly weather-dependent.  “If we get significant amounts of bad weather, we may need to extend the project schedule.  We realize work on Route 1 can be disruptive and will do our best to complete the work in a timely manner, but some parts of this project are very dependent on good weather, so we’ll have to adjust as we go along,” he concluded.

#   #   #