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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 31, 2026 |
Portland, ME — DownEast magazine recently published a feature highlighting the people across Maine who take on the constant, demanding work of keeping our roadsides clean. We are proud to see Maine Turnpike Authority maintenance crews included because their work is not only essential to highway operations—it’s a daily commitment to protecting everyone who travels the Turnpike.
The article shines a spotlight on just how nonstop this work is. MTA maintenance teams respond to debris, remove unexpected hazards, and ensure anything that ends up on the lanes or shoulders is cleared safely and kept off the roadway. Their vigilance is one of the most important layers of protection for drivers.
The DownEast article also captures a side of the job that many people never see: the "Turnpike legends" that become part of crew lore. But alongside the unexpected findings are the serious realities MTA maintenance crews face, including hazardous materials such as discarded needles—objects that underscore broader challenges beyond the view from a moving car. Each discovery isn’t just something to be removed from the asphalt; it’s a reminder of the complexity of the communities MTA serves.
Executive Director Andre Briere reflected on the critical nature of this work, saying:
“The work our maintenance crews do is serious, but it’s vital. Litter is dangerous to a highway system. Anything tossed or left on the side of the road has the potential to become a hazard, and that could put the traveling public at risk. Their commitment to clearing debris safely is one of the most important ways We Serve Maine. It’s also why we ask everyone to slow down and follow posted speed limits when you see our crews working. They are keeping us all safe, and we owe it to them to move over and slow down.”
We’re grateful to the writer Jaed Coffin and photographer Cait Bourgault for DownEast magazine for spending time with MTA crews and helping share a glimpse of their work and the people behind it. We’re also deeply proud of every MTA employee who works along the Turnpike each day. They are skilled, dedicated, and caring Mainers who make a real difference for the millions of people who rely on this highway every year.
Read the full feature in the August 2026 issue of DownEast magazine on its website.
Photo Credit: DownEast magazine, August 2026