Turnpike News

Maine Turnpike Authority Seeks Input on Falmouth Spur Ramp Closure

Closing the Ramp Could Cut Nine Months off Bridge Project

PORTLAND – The Maine Turnpike Authority will hold a public meeting at its Portland Headquarters on Monday, November 16 at 6:00 p.m. to discuss the possible 12 month closure of the Exit 52 northbound on-ramp that carries traffic from the Falmouth Spur to the mainline of the Turnpike.   The Turnpike’s General Consulting Engineer says that closing the ramp will allow the reconstruction of the Presumpscot River Bridge, which is located directly north of the ramp, to be conducted faster, more safely and less expensively.  The 55- year old bridge carries both north and southbound lanes of the Turnpike over the Presumpscot River.  The project is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2010.

According to engineers advising the Authority, closing the ramp for the first 12 months of the project will reduce the overall project length by nine months, from 27 to 18 months.  The shorter project length will also save hundreds of thousands in construction costs.  The estimated cost of the project if the ramp is closed is $7.2 million.  Engineers also believe that closing the ramp will make the project safer by eliminating the traffic merge immediately prior to the bridge. 

The northbound on-ramp carries an average of about 1,600 vehicles per day—a relatively light volume when compared to other Turnpike ramps.   For example the southbound on-ramp at the same Exit 52 interchange carries an average of 3,600 vehicles per day. 

All interested citizens, especially those who use the Exit 52 northbound on-ramp, are invited to attend and participate in the discussion.   The Maine Turnpike’s Headquarters building is located at 2360 Congress Street in Portland.  It can be easily accessed from the Jetport Interchange (Exit 46) Connector Road.

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