Augusta - Maine's new Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP), released today, focuses on a documented plan of action to address the current trend of increased fatalities.

The SHSP is developed to outline the major common areas of safety concern. The goal of this plan is to identify key transportation safety issues and to develop effective action plans that will improve public safety.

Augusta - This Thursday, February 15th, MaineDOT plans to return the Augusta Exit 109 interchange on Western Avenue back to its original configuration. The transition from the current temporary access at Whitten Road will be done in phases to ensure continuous access to I-95 southbound from Western Avenue.

AUGUSTA - The Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) has sent a Notice of Intent to Award an $8.8 million contract for the construction of a new Maine State Ferry Service (MSFS) vessel to East Boothbay boatbuilder Washburn & Doughty. The company was one of five bidders ? and the only Maine shipbuilder - who submitted a proposal.

Portland - A mechanical and electrical systems evaluation is currently underway on the Casco Bay Bridge which spans the Fore River connecting Portland and South Portland.

This bridge needs to be raised and lowered for some of the evaluation testing. Efforts will be made to coordinate with marine traffic but a few openings may occur without ship passage. In those instances, the openings will be brief and should only last approximately five minutes. Those openings are scheduled for off-peak hours.

Bar Harbor - MaineDOT will host an Open House to share information and answer questions about the 2018 continuation of the reconstruction of Route 3 in Bar Harbor. While there will be no formal presentation, representatives of MaineDOT and Sargent Corporation, the primary contractor, will be on hand. The Open House is scheduled for Tuesday, March 13th, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Bar Harbor Town Office.

Augusta - Main Street in Yarmouth will close at approximately 4:30 a.m. Saturday, March 17th and reopen at approximately 7 p.m. Sunday, March 18th.

During this time, crews will work around the clock to install framework over Main Street for the new deck of the Route 1 bridge that spans Main Street. There will be no pedestrian or motor vehicle access to Main Street directly under the bridge during this weekend.

The reconstruction of Water Street in Hallowell begins Monday, April2nd. At that time, a new traffic pattern will go into effect. Water Street will be one-way for northbound traffic (going toward the Capitol). Southbound traffic is being rerouted one block up onto Second Street. Additional parking has been created on the railroad tracks between Winthrop and Central Streets.

All businesses will be open and accessible throughout the project. Work will take place from sunrise to sunset, Monday through Thursday and from sunrise until 3 pm on Fridays.

Gorham - Route 25 in Gorham near 333 Ossipee Trail will be closed beginning at 5:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 7th.

Motorists will be detoured approximately 10 miles utilizing Route 112 to Route 22 to Route 35.

It is anticipated the road will reopen on Sunday, April 8th by 8 p.m.

All businesses will remain open and accessible.

On Friday, April 6th from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., there will be alternating one-way traffic controlled by flaggers as equipment is mobilized to this location in advance of the closure.

Bar Harbor - MaineDOT and its contractors will close the section of Eden Street in Bar Harbor between West Street and Mt. Desert St. from Saturday, April 14th through Sunday, April 22nd. Traffic will be detoured to adjacent streets during the closure. Utilities construction will be happening on that portion of Eden Street, making the closure necessary.

Belgrade Lakes - Work on the reconstruction of Route 27 in Belgrade Lakes Village begins Monday, April 16.

The project includes widening the road, re-configuring the intersection of Route 27 and West Road for improved safety, installing a closed drainage system of pipes and catch basins including water quality structures which will permanently minimize runoff into the lakes, rebuilding the sidewalk on the Long Pond side of the street, adding new sidewalk in places on the Great Pond side of the street; as well as installing new pedestrian lighting.