The Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) recently released the 2022 edition of its three-year Work Plan, a document containing all capital projects and programs, maintenance and operations activities, planning initiatives, and administrative functions for calendar years 2022, 2023, and 2024.
This year’s edition includes 2,316 individual work items totaling $3.17 billion, consisting primarily of work delivered or coordinated through MaineDOT.
In 2021, the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law became law, the state legislature approved allocating nearly $106 million to MaineDOT, and MaineDOT expanded its partnerships with stakeholders, including municipalities. This gives the agency hope it can start taking a more proactive approach instead of doing its best with what was available.
In addition, this past November, more than 70 percent of voters approved a $100-million transportation bond, providing a much-needed state match for federal and other funds to support MaineDOT’s capital production.
“It’s too early to tell; we need to know more about goals that affect the scope of our work, construction costs, and the extent and sustainability of new funding,” MaineDOT Commissioner Bruce Van Note said. “Still, for the first time in many years, it feels like we can begin to consider moving from reactive patching to proactive planning.”
The plan includes an estimated $111 million for 2,162 miles of Light Capital Paving, $155 million for 115 miles of highway construction and rehabilitation, $237 million for 353 highway safety and spot improvements, $462 million for 1,057 miles of preservation paving, and $631 million for 235 bridge projects.