PORTLAND — Remember all those construction crews working on Interstate 295 in Greater Portland last summer and fall?
They’re back.
Preliminary work to repair the bridges on I-295 southbound over St. John Street, St. James Street and the Fore River began Sunday as part of a $25 million project that’s expected to last into October.
On Wednesday night, crews will begin installing new guardrails along I-295 northbound in Portland and Falmouth, mainly along bridge abutments and some shoulder areas.
“This is basically resuming construction on work that was begun last summer,” said Mark Latti, spokesman for the Maine Department of Transportation.
On Sunday night, crews from Lane Construction placed reflective orange barrels along the side of the interstate. On Monday, they planned to install concrete barriers to shift lanes and protect workers, but were held up by rain.
Two lanes of traffic will remain open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily throughout the project, with only one lane available at night.
Work on the three bridges will involve closing on- and off-ramps at Exit 5B, not far from Hadlock Field, where the Portland Sea Dogs are scheduled to open their 2011 Eastern League baseball season Thursday night.
“Fortunately, (the ramp closure) doesn’t have too much of an effect on us,” said Sea Dogs General Manager Geoff Iacuessa. “If you just go up to the light (on Congress Street) and take a left, you can get on 295 south right by the train station. And coming to the game, (fans) either get off on Forest (Avenue) or (Exit) 5A anyway.”
Other southbound bridges that are scheduled for what Latti called “rehabilitation” this year include those over the Presumpscot River in Falmouth and Washington Avenue in Portland, as well as Tukey’s Bridge.
“(Rehabilitation) generally means removing the traveling surface and the bridge decking,” Latti said. “Basically, it involves removing all parts of the bridge except the steel support underneath.”
That work took longer than expected last year because there was crumbling concrete beneath the road surface.
The southbound work is scheduled to be completed by October, Latti said, but similar damage could extend the project, which is being funded with state and federal highway money.
Northbound, the guardrail work is being done by Pike Industries. As soon as late May, crews will begin rehabilitating five northbound bridges: Tukey’s, Washington Avenue, Sherwood Street, Kensington Street and the St. Lawrence Railroad. Traffic details are still being worked out, Latti said.
Guardrail installation is scheduled to end by early July. The bridge work likely will stretch into October, with several more bridges scheduled for rehabilitation in 2012 and northbound paving planned for 2013.
“There’s an acknowledgement by everyone that this is inconvenient,” said Nicole Clegg, communications director for Portland. “But these are repairs that have to get done, for everyone’s safety. Our hope is that they’re completed as expeditiously as possible to minimize the impact on the community.”
Staff Writer Glenn Jordan can be contacted at 791-6425 or at: gjordan@pressherald.com
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