News Release for August 10, 2007

Contact: Michael Lenko, 592-6280

WORK BEGINS ON TEN MILES OF ROUTE 3 IN

PALERMO, LIBERTY, MONTVILLE AND SEARSMONT

The Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) says motorists should expect to encounter construction work on Route 3 between Palermo and Searsmont.

“We’ve begun work on improvements to nearly ten miles of Route 3,” explains Michael Lenko, MaineDOT’s construction manager for the project.  “The project begins approximately one mile west of the Palermo-Liberty town line, or at the beginning of the truck climbing lane near the Arthur Plummer Road, and extends east for 9.6 miles, ending near the rest area about a half mile east of the Searsmont-Montville town line.”

“A variety of work is planned, depending on the particular condition and needed improvements on various sections of the roadway,” Lenko continued.  “We’ll be grinding off some of the existing pavement on the truck lane and from the travel lanes from the west end of the project to the end of the truck climbing lane.  We’ll also be making drainage improvements and upgrading roadside guard rail on the remainder of the project.  The entire length of the project will get a new layer of pavement.”

Lenko says drivers can expect to encounter alternating one-way traffic and other traffic pattern changes designed to alleviate congestion.  “We’re expecting to have multiple operations under way at the same time at various locations along the project.  Those activities may not always be on the same side of the road, so drivers need to be especially alert to signs and construction flaggers as they approach each work location,” he explained.

He also urged drivers to allow extra travel time and to curtail cell phone use in construction areas.  “With the changing traffic patterns and multiple work areas, drivers are going to need to concentrate on the work area, to be aware of the need for reduced speed, and to stay alert for construction workers and equipment.  Avoiding distractions and concentrating on their driving is one of the keys to getting safely through a work zone,” he explained.

The contract for the project, awarded to The Lane Construction Corporation of Meriden, CT and Bangor, ME on a bid of more than $2.5-million, calls for completion of the project by early November.

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