News Release for September 11, 2007
Contact: Steve Baker, 207-845-2387

MaineDOT to close a section of Route 126 in Jefferson and Washington next week for culvert replacement

The Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) says work to replace two deteriorated culverts on Route 126 in Washington will begin on Thursday, September 20th and continue through Friday, September 21st. While the project is in progress, a portion of the road will be closed, and a detour will be in place.

“We need to replace these culverts that cross beneath Route 126, about a mile east of the Jefferson-Washington town line,” explained Steve Baker of MaineDOT’s Washington maintenance facility, where the work is being coordinated. The old 4’ culverts have deteriorated over time and need to be replaced. The safest, most efficient, and quickest way to replace them is to close the road completely while we do the work," Baker continued.

On Thursday and Friday, September 20th and 21st, MaineDOT will be detouring traffic around the work area 24 hours a day. While the detour is in effect, drivers will still be able to access local destinations from either end of the detour, but no through-traffic will be allowed on that section of Route 126.

“Traffic traveling east on Route 126 will be detoured onto the Valley Road and easterly to Route 17,” said Baker. “Traffic traveling west on Route 126 will be detoured onto Route 17 and use the Valley Road to rejoin Route 126. If all goes well, we expect to put the detour into place about 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, the 20th, and have the road re-opened to traffic by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, the 21st.”

“We understand that the road closure will be an inconvenience for residents, school buses, and everyone who uses that part of Route 126,” said Baker. “We’re asking for the patience and cooperation of the public so we can get this needed work done safely and quickly,” he concluded.

For more information, contact Steve Baker by phone at 207-845-2387 or by e-mail at Region2.mainedot@maine.gov.

# # #