Tue, 01/26/2016 - 11:30am

Sen. Chris Johnson of Somerville is pleased to share the details of Maine’s three-year transportation infrastructure work plan, and what it means for the region. The plan is released annually with an outline of the Maine Department of Transportation’s strategy for road, bridge and other transportation projects throughout the state.
“The condition of our roads and bridges is vital to Maine people and our economy,” said Sen. Johnson. “I am proud to have always supported transportation funding needs and infrastructure bonds focused on moving our state forward.”
According to the MDOT, the work plan includes more than $2.2 billion worth of construction and maintenance, of which $520 million is scheduled for 497 capital projects in 2016. Included are projects for highways and bridges, transit (bus), passenger and freight railroad, aviation, ferries, ports and other marine facilities, and bicycle-pedestrian access.
Sen. Johnson stressed the importance of funding for the MDOT work plan and its investment to the area and entire state. The following breakdown is what the planned capital and maintenance work will mean for the region in 2016:

Paving

Route 27, Route 1B, Turner Road, Biscay Road, Barters Island Road, Route 238, McKay Road, Country Club Road in Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Bremen, Damariscotta, Edgecomb, Jefferson, Newcastle, Nobleboro and Southport.
Route 17 in Somerville and Washington, beginning 0.06 of a mile east of Route 220 and extending westerly 3.63 miles.

Bridge projects

Head Tide bridge in Alna.
Southport bridge on Route 27 between Boothbay Harbor and Southport.
Damariscotta River bridge on Route 1B.
Sidmill and St. George bridges on Route 17 in Washington.

Ditching/culverts maintenance

Route 218 at various locations on Route 218 in Wiscasset, starting at the intersection with Route 1 and extending northerly to the Alna-Whitefield town line.
Sheepscot Road in Newcastle and Alna, starting at the intersection with Route 218 and extending easterly for 4 miles to the intersection with Route 1.
Center Street in Damariscotta and Nobleboro, starting at the intersection of Route 1 and extending northerly for 2.7 miles.
Route 215, Route 213 and Route 126 in Jefferson and Newcastle.
Main Street, Route 220 and Route 32 in Waldoboro.
Route 144 in Wiscasset and Westport Island.
Cooper Road in Whitefield.
Route 105 in Windsor.
Route 220 in Washington.

Bicycle/pedestrian improvements

Route 27 in Boothbay, beginning at Back River Road and extending 0.89 of a mile.
Route 129 in Damariscotta, beginning 0.03 of a mile south of Route 1B and extending southerly 0.40 of a mile.
Route 1 in Wiscasset.