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Turnpike Authority to begin Forest Avenue bridge repairs; two lanes to remain open during day, night work will reduce lanes
Summary
The Maine Turnpike Authority notified the council of unscheduled repairs on the Forest Avenue bridges, saying daytime traffic will be maintained with two lanes open, night work will require single-lane operations at times, and the authority will conduct a neighborhood sound study and continue community outreach.
The Maine Turnpike Authority presented a plan to Portland City Council members for unscheduled repairs to the Forest Avenue bridges and said the work will begin this week and run through November, with some cleanup afterward.
Andre Brere, Executive Director of the Turnpike Authority, said his office moved quickly after maintenance staff identified potholes and surface deterioration; an engineering firm performed an inspection and the authority made temporary repairs in mid‑August before approving a contract for permanent repairs. Brere said two lanes will remain open during daytime commuting hours and that night work will at times reduce traffic to a single lane with flaggers in place. He also said pedestrian and ADA access would be maintained throughout the project.
Community engagement: Brere described an outreach campaign that included a public meeting at the Gerald Talbot Community School and distribution of more than 400 notices. He said the authority established a project website and phone line and met with city staff on September 18 to solicit feedback.
Noise and long‑term plans: Brere told councilors the authority will use the repair project to perform a thorough sound study in the Castine Avenue neighborhood and surrounding areas to determine whether affected communities qualify for noise mitigation. He told the council the Forest Avenue bridge is included in the authority’s four‑year plan for total replacement and that the current work is intended to extend service life for roughly two years until full reconstruction.
Why it matters: The unscheduled repairs could affect traffic patterns at night and create neighborhood noise concerns; the authority’s outreach and the promised sound study aim to identify mitigation needs ahead of longer-term replacement work.
Next steps: The Turnpike Authority will begin the permanent repair work and continue to inform residents through the project website and direct communications. The authority and city staff will continue coordination on traffic and mitigation measures as the project proceeds.
