PORTLAND — The Maine Department of Transportation will be closing I-295 over Route 1/Veranda Street (between Exits 9 and 10) in Portland this weekend to accommodate the replacement of the Veranda Street Bridge.

“This project uses an innovative construction technique designed to reduce long-term traffic impacts,” said MDOT, in a news release.

The interstate is scheduled to close at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 22 and remain closed until 11 a.m. on Monday, April 25. During this 64-hour-long period, crews will rapidly demolish the existing bridge before moving the new bridge decks into place using Self-Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMTs), according to MDOT. This project marks the first time MaineDOT is using SPMTs.

This Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) technique will compress significant traffic impacts to a period of four days. Conventional bridge construction techniques were expected to create traffic congestion for four years.

Route 1/Veranda Street (under I-295) has been closed to traffic since 2 p.m. on Monday, April 18 to allow crews to prepare the site for the weekend bridge move. The roadway under the interstate is scheduled to reopen at 2 p.m. on Monday, April 25.

“Motorists are strongly encouraged to avoid traveling in this area during the closure period,” said the release. “Those who must travel should avoid I-295 and Route 1/Veranda Street entirely by taking I-95, the Maine Turnpike, and the Falmouth Spur. People who travel in the area should expect heavy congestion along the detour routes.”

Detour maps are available on VerandaPlan.org. That site also includes live camera feeds of the project site.

First constructed in 1961, the Veranda Street Bridge has endured decades of heavy use. It is part of one of the busiest travel corridors in Maine. At this time of year, approximately 55,000 vehicles use this bridge on an average day. In the summertime, average daily traffic volume increases to more than 75,000 vehicles. A 2017 inspection showed the bridge to be structurally deficient. Route 1/Veranda Street (under I-295) carries more than 15,000 vehicles a day. The roadway geometry underneath the interstate bridge was confusing and contributed to a high incidence of crashes at the intersection of Veranda Street and the I-295 southbound on-ramp.

Planning for the Veranda Street Bridge replacement project began in 2016. Construction began in March 2021. Since then, crews have built the foundations for the new structure beneath the existing bridge while also building two new bridge decks on the east side of the interstate. Each of these new bridge decks weighs approximately 800,000 pounds and will be set atop the new foundations during the interstate closure. This project also involves the use of geofoam blocks as fill in the bridge embankments. This material is light enough that it will not compress the soft marine clay in the area.

“This project will improve safety and mobility in the area,” said MDOT.” The new Veranda Street Bridge is designed to last 100 years.”

This project also involves a reconfiguration of the roadway beneath the interstate. Modern signalized intersections at the end of the Route 9 exit ramps will improve safety for all users. Once complete, the reconfigured Veranda Street will consist of two 11-foot-wide vehicle travel lanes, two five-foot-wide bicycle lanes, a five-foot-wide sidewalk on the north side of the roadway, and a multi-use path on the south side that extends to the Martin's Point Bridge. Once complete, the reconfigured Veranda Street roadway will convert nearly 1.5 acres of roadway and median into green space.

HNTB Corporation of South Portland is the design firm for this project. Cianbro of Pittsfield is the prime contractor. Shaw Brothers Construction of Gorham is doing the earthwork and bridge demolition.

The construction contract for this project is approximately $18.1 million. The total project cost (including engineering and design work) is approximately $20.8 million.

All work is scheduled to be finished by the end of 2022.

“MaineDOT offers its sincere thanks to the residents of Portland and Falmouth as well as the members of the traveling public at large for their continued patience and understanding as we work to complete this important project.”