The 2004 redesignations of Interstates 95, 295, and 495 resulted in the decommissioning of Interstate 495 along the Maine Turnpike mainline between the Falmouth Spur and Gardiner. That path is now a part of Interstate 95 between Portland and Augusta. Interstate 95 originally followed a toll free highway south from Gardiner to Falmouth and the Maine Turnpike Falmouth Spur west to the Maine Turnpike mainline. With Interstate 295 following the original Interstate 95 between Falmouth and Gardiner, that left only the five-mile Falmouth Spur for the designation of Interstate 495. Since the spur acts as a connector between the two north-south freeways, officials deemed Interstate 495 as an unsigned designation not worthy of its own shields. The connector features trailblazers for Interstate 95 and 295 instead. Maine Turnpike's Falmouth Spur opened in conjunction with the turnpike mainline between Portland and Augusta in 1955.1
Interstate 495 east
No photos at this time
Interstate 495 west
A trumpet interchange joins Interstate 495 with U.S. 1 (Blue Star Memorial Highway) at the east end of the Falmouth Spur. A second pair of ramps provided for the movements of Interstate 495 east onto Interstate 295 north and Interstate 295 south onto Interstate 495 west, that which was the original Interstate 95 mainline movement. After merging onto Interstate 495 west from Interstate 295, travelers are greeted with a Welcome to the Maine Turnpike sign. Photo taken 06/28/05.
There are no interchanges between Interstate 495's end points. Maine 9 (Middle Road) passes over the four-lane freeway here. Photo taken 06/27/05.
Interstate 495 enters the Maine Turnpike toll plaza west of the Maine 9 over crossing. All passenger vehicles are charged a 60 cent car toll. Photo taken 06/28/05.
Passing through the Maine Turnpike toll plaza along Interstate 495 west. A rather small plaza in size, EZ Pass lanes exist in both directions of the toll barrier and all traffic must slow to at least 10 mph. Photos taken 06/27 & 06/28/05.
The Maine Turnpike doubles as the Maine Gold Star Memorial Highway. Signs such as these are often placed beyond the exits of main line toll plazas. Photo taken 06/27/05.
Four lanes of Interstate 495 travel between the Falmouth Road overpass and Presumpscot River. Designs of the 1955-constructed roadway resemble that of other area toll highways including the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension. Photos taken 06/27/05.
Interstate 495 prepares to meet Interstate 95 as it leaves the Presumpscot River crossing. A standard trumpet interchange joins the two freeways midway between Interstate 95's interchanges at West Falmouth and west Portland. Photo taken 06/27/05.
In the replacement of signs for Interstate 495, many signs feature a three-digit sized Interstate 95 shield. That is the case because Interstate 495 shields were of the same size, and for whatever reason sign shops manufactured identical sized signs. Interstate 495 partitions into single-lane ramps onto Interstate 95 north and south. Photo taken 06/27/05.
Crossing the Springfield Terminal Railroad and Blackstrap Road at the entrance to the Interstate 95 trumpet interchange on Interstate 495 west. Interstate 95 follows the entire Maine Turnpike mainline between Kittery and Gardiner. Northbound serves Lewiston and Auburn while southbound serves South Portland, Saco, and Kennebunk. Photo taken 06/27/05.
Interstate 495 partitions into its ramps to Interstate 95 and ends. Interstate 95 north meets Maine 26 & 100 (Gray Road) at nearby Exit 53. Southbound travelers have a bit further to travel to the Riverside Street interchange (Exit 48) to Maine 25 (Brighton Avenue) and U.S. 302 (Forest Avenue). Photo taken 06/27/05.
