Drivers in the Augusta, Farmingdale and Hallowell area need to stay alert over the next few days as work continues on several of the major thoroughfares in the area.

The Maine Department of Transportation has advised that drivers can expect to encounter crews involved in shoulder-paving work along U.S. Route 201 in Farmingdale today and in Hallowell on Monday.

“The shoulder paving is part of the ongoing project to complete the center section of the Kennebec River Rail Trail between Augusta and Gardiner,” explains MDOT project manager Peggy Duval.

“Drivers can expect to encounter work crews and paving equipment on the Route 201 roadside between Hill Road and Riverview Street in Farmingdale (today). On Monday, crews will be working on the shoulder paving in Hallowell, south of the downtown area.”

She urged drivers to allow themselves some additional time or strongly consider an alternate route if one is available to them. Crews will try to minimize delays, but Duval warned that traffic congestion is always an issue whenever work is performed on the U.S. 201 highway corridor.

The newest section of the Kennebec River Rail Trail project began in the summer of 2006 and will continue into the early fall of this year. Throughout the course of the project, businesses in Hallowell and along the entire Route 201 corridor are open for business.

Western Avenue and Storey Street

Motorists planning on using Storey Street to access the Senator Inn’s facilities should use extreme caution when approaching the intersection from Western Avenue from either the east or the west.

At times, the Storey Street change-of-direction turnaround off Western Avenue has been closed recently, forcing motorists to continue down to the Whitten Road turnaround or the turnaround at the intersection of Western Avenue and Edison Drive.

Traffic on Storey Street is limited to one lane as work continues on the entrance to the Augusta Crossing shopping center. Movements of laborers and heavy machinery have resulted in some long lines of traffic as workers and machines cross Western Avenue.

Equal care should be taken at night on Western Avenue when flaggers will be on duty to direct traffic in the area.

Also, drivers on North Belfast Avenue proceeding in the vicinity of North Pearl Street should be prepared this week for alternating, single-lane traffic this week as work continues on this major artery into Augusta.

Sidney construction

The westerly end of the Dinsmore Road will be closed to through-traffic from Monday through Thursday for culvert replacement, weather permitting. The road connects Middle and West River Roads, and the construction is nearer to the Middle Road end and close to Duke’s Market.

Pearl Harbor Remembrance Bridge

The Maine Department of Transportation has closed the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Bridge that connects Gardiner and Randolph to pedestrian traffic today, but the bridge will reopen to pedestrian traffic Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

To minimize congestion and delays in the Gardiner area, especially during the evening commute, the department is encouraging motorists to find alternate routes, such as Route 197 to the Richmond “swing bridge” at Exit 43 off Interstate 295.

The Pearl Harbor Remembrance Bridge, which connects U.S. Route 201 with Routes 9, 27 and 126, is undergoing some much-needed repairs. According to the MDOT, travel will be restricted to one lane in each direction on the bridge through the project’s expected completion in October.

When completed, the bridge repairs are expected to save travel time and minimize congestion. While the project is under way, motorists are advised to avoid using the bridge if possible.

State transportation officials recommend that motorists who must use the bridge plan on allowing extra time for their trip and travel during off-peak hours.

Tips, problem traffic areas and questions can be e-mailed to A. J. Higgins at
ajhiggins@centralmaine.com