The Maine Department of Transportation held a public workshop in Portland on April 30 to discuss the upcoming I-295 Veranda Street Bridge Replacement Project. This is part of an ongoing effort to engage the public. The purpose of this workshop was to solicit meaningful public input and feedback regarding project design and implementation.

The Veranda Street Bridge is nearing its 60th year of service. The structure needs to be replaced. Also, the roadway configuration beneath the bridge is confusing and contributes to a high number of crashes. This project aims to increase safety and mobility both on the interstate and the roads underneath it.

At the public workshop, representatives from MaineDOT, HNTB and the city of Portland were available to discuss topics that include design, construction, safety, traffic and bicyclist/pedestrian access.

To minimize traffic impacts, this project will use accelerated bridge construction (ABC). Crews will close part of I-295 in Portland in the spring of 2021 for one weekend to accommodate the complete removal and replacement of the bridge deck over Veranda Street.

MaineDOT's partners for this project include HNTB, a Westbrook firm that is part of the design team, and the city of Portland, which is designing and funding the development of the green space near the project.

At the public workshop, representatives from MaineDOT, HNTB and the city of Portland were available to discuss topics that include design, construction, safety, traffic and bicyclist/pedestrian access.

MaineDOT expects to put the Veranda Street Bridge construction work out to bid in 2020 with construction beginning later that year. The target time for the bridge closure weekend is spring of 2021. Work should be complete by late summer 2021. The cost of construction is estimated at $14 million.

For more information, visit maine.gov/mdot/projects/portland/verandastreetbridge.