PORTLAND and SOUTH PORTLAND — The Maine Department of Transportation will be making improvements to the northbound side of I-295 in Portland and South Portland. MDOT will be repairing bridge joints on seven interstate bridges.

This work will improve safety and mobility, according to MDOT, in a news release. The project area begins at the northbound I-295 bridge over State Route 703 in South Portland and extends north to the northbound I-295 bridge over Washington Avenue in Portland.

Work will begin on Monday, April 26, but is not expected to impact traffic until May 3. The project should be complete by the end of 2021.

Drivers should expect periodic shoulder and lane closures throughout the duration of this work. The goal is to perform most this work at night to lessen traffic impacts. MaineDOT conducted similar work on the southbound I-295 bridge joints in 2020. More daytime work was allowed on that project because the pandemic had greatly reduced traffic volumes, according to the release.

“We want to remind drivers to be careful when passing through work zones,” said MDOT. “Being attentive and obeying work zone speed limits helps create safer working conditions for our crews and contracting partners.”

The contractor on this project is Wyman & Simpson, Inc. of Richmond. The contract amount is $4.3 million.