YORK COUNTY — Get used to seeing orange barrels and road construction signs around parts of York County this summer, as Maine’s three-year transportation infrastructure work plan has been announced for 2019, 2020 and 2021.

In unveiling details of the plan, State Sen. Deschambault of Biddeford and State Sen. Justin Chenette of Saco said the public must have access to safe roads, bridges, and railways not just for ourselves, but for the foundation of future economic growth.

“Improving Maine’s infrastructure and ensuring that Mainers get access to safe and effective transportation is important to us,” Deschambault and Chenette said.

In November 2018, Maine voters approved a $100 million General Obligation bond to fund the state transportation program in 2019; $80 million of which is dedicated to Highway and Bridge projects, and the other $20 million is dedicated to multimodal projects.

Maine’s three-year plan is released each year and contains an outline of the Maine Department of Transportation’s strategy for road, bridge and other transportation projects throughout the state.

According to the MDOT, the latest work plan will feature more than $2.44 billion worth of construction and maintenance, which includes more than 1,900 work items statewide. MDOT estimates that the plan will invest in 199 miles of highway construction and rehabilitation; 1,142 miles of pavement preservation; 1,800 miles of light capital paving for roads and highways; 203 spot and safety improvements; and 203 bridge projects.

Deschambault and Chenette revealed that these projects of capital and maintenance work will be undertaken locally in 2019:

Paving work

• Route 9, beginning 0.04 miles south of Beachwood Ave. in Kennebunkport and extending north 6.08 miles to 0.28 miles south of Newtown Road in Biddeford. This is a $939,155 project.

• Route 117, producing, hauling and providing additional support activities for the placement of plant mix recycled asphalt pavement on Route 117 in Limington beginning at Route 11 and extending north 4.78 miles to Route 25. This is a $898,700 project.

Bridge maintenance

• Swan Pond Bridge in Biddeford. A $55,000 project will provide milling and filling for the wearing surface on the bridge. Milling is a commonly used technique to remove a distressed surface layer from an existing pavement and extend pavement life.

• Swetts Bridge in Alfred. A $40,000 project will repair the abutment, bridge rail and wearing surface on Swetts Bridge over the Middle Branch Mousam River.

• City Farm Bridge in Biddeford. A $43,000 project will provide milling and filling for the wearing surface on the bridge over Thatcher Brook.

Pier improvements

Camp Ellis Pier. A $212,000 project will expand the float system, power pedestals, hoist and adjust seasonal water flow at Camp Ellis Pier in Saco.

Road and culvert improvements

• Route 117, A $$327,500 project will replace a large culvert 0.05 of a mile east of Deer Ridge Road in Limington.

• Route 117, A $$60,000 project will replace a culvert 0.10 of a mile east of Deer Ridge Lane in Limington.

Highway safety work

• Route 111, A $450,000 highway improvement project beginning at Route 35 and extending east to Thompson Road in Alfred and Lyman.

• Route 111, A $$210,000 highway improvement project beginning at Route 35 and extending west 0.86 of a mile in Lyman.

• Route 35, A $160,000 project to install a flashing beacon at the intersection of Route 35 and South Street in Lyman.

• Route 22, A $$210,000 highway improvement project at the intersection of Broadturn Road and Route 22 in Buxton.

• Route 202, A $$1.1 million project for highway paving and application of an ultra-thin bonded wearing course project beginning 0.23 of a mile northeast of Whittens Lane and extending east 5.43 miles in Buxton and Hollis.

• Route 5, A $1.087 million project for highway paving and milling and filling beginning 0.06 miles west of Union Avenue and extending west 1.27 miles to the Saco city line in Old Orchard Beach.

Airport work

Two projects are planned in 2019 for the Biddeford Municipal Airport including a $412,000 project to make safety and infrastructure improvements that may include design and permitting for Runway 24, improving the runway safety area, obstruction removal and drainage, and a $$154,500 project for reconstruction of a runway/taxiway at the airport.

— Executive Editor Ed Pierce can be reached at 282-1535 or by email at editor@journaltribune.com 

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