Next week, the Maine Department of Transportation and it's contractors will be installing beams for the new Ohio Street bridge, and that may mean some inconvenience for travelers on Interstate 95 during the overnight hours.

The MDOT will be closing both the northbound and southbound lanes of the Interstate during this important work for the safety of the traveling public, but fortunately not both at the same time.

The lane closures will be based on the following schedule:

Northbound lane closures 11:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 19th to 5:00 a.m. on Monday, July 20th. 11:00 p.m. on Monday, July 20th to 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 21st

Southbound lane closures 11:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 21st to 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 22nd 11:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 22nd to 5:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 23rd

The detours will be clearly marked.  The good news is that if all goes correctly, there will be no lane closures during the month of August.

Look for the spiffy new Ohio Street bridge to be completed sometime this November.  The $5.9 million project includes adding another 18 inches of clearance for today's big trucks and equipment to pass safely underneath, a new turning lane on Ohio Street for vehicles turning onto the ramp to travel southbound on  the Interstate, and feature non-corrosive materials to reduce maintenance needs. It replaces the previous structure that was 60 years old.

Between now and September, watch for flaggers and please obey the speed limit.

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