Reconstruction of the Bath Route 1 viaduct is approximately three weeks ahead of schedule, according to the Maine Department of Transportation.

Good weather, planning and construction techniques contributed to faster-than-expected progress, DOT Resident Engineer Glenn Philbrook said in a statement.

The Bath viaduct is an elevated roadway that carries about 18,000 vehicles a day on Route 1 over downtown Bath and onto a bridge over the Kennebec River. Demolition of the old viaduct started in October and construction started in November.

According to DOT, 15 of 19 pier columns and 10 of 19 pier caps have been completed and the first of 20 superstructure spans has been installed.

The viaduct will have four 12-foot-wide lanes and 4-foot road shoulders. The new bridge is expected to be complete by Memorial Day.

Until April, drivers should expect peak-hour delays of 10 to 15 minutes between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 3- to 5-minute delays during off-peak hours.


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