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State to replace two Portland US1 Bridges

Started by yakra, February 03, 2010, 08:03:50 PM

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yakra

February 03, 2010, 08:03:50 PM  
State eyes replacement of Route 1 bridge between Portland, Falmouth
http://www.theforecaster.net/content/pn-falmartinpointbridge-021310

State reviewing $63 million bid to replace Veterans Memorial Bridge
http://www.theportlanddailysun.com/cgi/story.pl?storyid=2010012703049...

The latter, the Veterans Bridge, is actually only a *historic* US1
bridge at this point, as US1 was moved onto I-295 back in 2007. Its
replacement has been in the works for some time now, and I thought
construction was to have started this past fall. The bridge is
structurally deficient, which doesn't jive with MDOT's "insist[ence]
the bridge remains structurally sound". (But how exactly is the term
Structurally Deficient defined?) I posted a bit on its troubles back
on 2009-02-24 including the 9'² pothole that went clear thru to the
Fore River below. (Google the MTR archives for "Wintah Mayhem".) I'm
pretty excited about the bike access, which will make a great
alternative to the white-knuckle ride along ME9/22 past Stroudwater &
the Jetport. 12' seems a good width, in contrast to the narrow,
cramped & unsafe bike/ped path alongside 295/1/26 on Tukey's Bridge.

Personally, I would like to see the US1A designation moved to the new
bridge upon its completion: the Fore River Parkway routing is
indirect, only 2 lanes (divided!), has at-grade driveways & a traffic
signal, and a completely rubbish interchange wit 295/1.

Keeping the existing bridge in operation during construction should
prove interesting as well; there's little room and tight geometry
where the bridge touches down on the Portland side.

Unanswered: whether the reconstruction will provide the missing N->S
movements at I-295 exit 4.

----

I don't have nearly as many comments on the Martins Point replacement,
other than...
This bridge is also structurally deficient.
Closure would be a drag for cyclists doing shorter trips in the
corridor.
Pimping my crappy website! I have some photos of this bridge and the
older, pre-1943 alignment at http://yakra.dyn-o-saur.com/roads/gallery/port-fal/index.htm
"Officer, I'm always careful to drive the speed limit no matter where I am and that's what I was doin'." Said "No, you weren't," she said, "Yes, I was." He said, "Madam, I just clocked you at 22 MPH," and she said "That's the speed limit," he said "No ma'am, that's the route numbah!"  - Gary Crocker

yakra

#1
February 04, 2010, 05:42:13 PM  
"Officer, I'm always careful to drive the speed limit no matter where I am and that's what I was doin'." Said "No, you weren't," she said, "Yes, I was." He said, "Madam, I just clocked you at 22 MPH," and she said "That's the speed limit," he said "No ma'am, that's the route numbah!"  - Gary Crocker
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