The federal Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) Program recently awarded the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) $77.1 million for roadway improvements in Aroostook and Washington counties.
The projects will complete a bypass to divert large semi-trailer trucks from Presque Isle’s Main Street (Route 1) and rehabilitate 68 miles of Route 1 between Machias and Calais.
MaineDOT was awarded $44.1 million to complete phase two of the Presque Isle Corridor Project. The phase will construct an approximately 6.3-mile-long, two-lane highway connecting US Route 1 to the current bypass section already in service.
Work includes truck-climbing lanes, box culverts, a new interchange at US Route 1 and Conant Road, multiuse trail crossings at Conant Road and Henderson Road, and four new overpasses from Henderson Road, Easton Road, Conant Road, and the rail line.
The project is expected to allow traffic to avoid one railroad crossing, nine stoplights, 12 crosswalks, 25 street intersections, and 147 driveways.
MaineDOT was awarded $33 million to rehabilitate approximately 68 miles of Route 1 in Washington County. Work includes preparing the corridor for electric vehicle chargers, making safety improvements, replacing drainage structures, and widening roadway shoulders.
The Downeast Coastal US Route 1 Rehabilitation Project is expected to significantly reduce lane departure crashes.