It looks like it should be a fairly uneventful drive home. The roads are accident free thus far.

You may want to plan to leave early for work in the morning, however, as the Maine Turnpike Authority is planning projects that will restrict the flow of traffic.

$West Gardiner: A northbound lane will be closed at the exit 102 interchange from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. for bridge repairs. Contractors at the Route 126 service plaza project will used a double lane shift to keep traffic away from the work zone. The shift, which is scheduled for 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., will remain in place until Friday evening.

$Farmingdale: A southbound lane from mile 106 in Farmingdale to mile 107 in Hallowell will be closed from 6 p.m. Thursday to 6 a.m., Friday as the Litchfield Road Bridge is cleaned and painted.

Finally, the Department of Transportation has announced plans to begin its annual vegetation control program along state controlled railway systems starting Monday.

The Augusta Lower Road from Augusta to Brunswick, and the Lewiston Lower Road from Brunswick to Lisbon Falls will be sprayed during the week.

Many area fire departments say they are prepared to keep handling traffic emergencies even when Interstate 295 closes down next month all summer for extensive road work.

In turn, Maine Department of Transportation officials said they feel confident about the closure and emergency response from meetings they have conducted with fire departments and first responders over the past few months.

Maine DOT spokeswoman Meg Lane said the state department is making strides to aid rescue crews, such as establishing “easy access points” along Route 201. As well, a Maine DOT vehicle will patrol the area seven days a week and assist on smaller incidents like running out of gas.

To get the scoop on rescue officials' thoughts, check out tomorrow's Kennebec Journal.

What are your thoughts on emergency response times once the interstate closes? Are you a Route 201 resident with concerns? Tell us about it. Call 623-3811 ext. 431 or e-mail mmalloy@centralmaine.com

Drivers heading east on Rt. 126 in West Gardiner today will encounter workers installing utility lines along the road between Gardiner Middle School and west of the Maine Turnpike.

The workers will be on the job until 6 p.m. today, and at it again tomorrow, Friday, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Eastbound traffic will be directed away from the work zones. At times, traffic could be reduced to one, alternating lane.

-MS

Look out for a possible traffic tie-up on the Maine Turnpike tonight if you commute near Litchfield.

The Lunt’s Hill Road Bridge will shut down a southbound lane starting at 6 p.m. The Maine State Police will be on hand to handle traffic stops and ensure a safe drive until midnight. Stops may last up to 25 minutes, authorities warned.

Reminder to those of you who use Western Avenue: the intersection of Western Avenue and Senator Way heading east will be reduced to one lane so workers can finish paving the area, starting at 9 a.m. Friday. This could mean some serious back-up for your morning commute.

Those who favor the Route 197 and Stevenstown Road bridges to get home to Litchfield will need to consider an alternative route tonight.

The north- and southbound lanes on both bridges, between mile markers 93 and 96, will be closed during rush hours until 7 p.m. for bridge painting, officials from the Maine Turnpike said this morning.

The northbound lane of the Maine Turnpike from Exit 102 in West Gardiner to Exit 109 in Augusta reopened at 3 p.m. today, which should ensure a steady commute home.

In the heart of the capital city, no serious vehicle accidents have been reported; and with the east side’s traffic lights free of fried critters, (see previous entry) the drive home or to sports practice should be event-free.

For those who work the graveyard shift, your drive may be met by fog and hit-or-miss showers, according to the National Weather Service. Give yourself a few extra minutes to get to work in case visibility is low.