News Release for August 2, 2007

Contact: LaRay Hamilton, 592-1367

WORK BEGINS ON GORHAM BYPASS

The Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) says work has begun on construction of the Gorham Bypass, a new roadway to help carry traffic around Gorham village.

“The project begins on Route 114 near the power lines and extends to Route 25 near the former Curves building beyond Cressey Road,” explains MaineDOT construction manager LaRay Hamilton.  “The intent is to connect Routes 25 and 114 to help alleviate traffic congestion in downtown Gorham.”

Hamilton notes that the new roadway will include roundabouts where the new bypass intersects with Route 114, with U.S. Route 202 and with Route 25.  The bypass also includes a new overpass to carry Flaggy Meadow Road over the new bypass roadway, but construction of that structure is covered by a separate construction contract.

“The project will be built in phases,” Hamilton explains.  “Right now, the early concentration of work will be between Route 25 and Flaggy Meadow Road, with some minor work between Flaggy Meadow Road and Route 202.”

During the early stages of the project, Hamilton expects the most impact on existing traffic will be on Route 25 where construction vehicles are leaving and entering the existing roadway and on Flaggy Meadow Road, where large amounts of earth will be moved to shape the area around the new overpass.  “Drivers should watch for construction warning signs, slow down as they approach work areas, and watch for construction flaggers and signs to guide them through the work areas.  Much of the work on this project is off the existing roadway on a new highway alignment, but that doesn’t mean drivers shouldn’t watch for construction workers and vehicles in the area,” he cautions.

The contract covering construction of the new roadway, except for the overpass project at Flaggy Meadow Road, was awarded to Shaw Brothers Construction Inc. of Gorham, ME on a bid of just under $10.2-million.  Hamilton says the anticipated completion date for the project is June of 2009.

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