DOT-led Broadway Bridge replacement on schedule, city engineer says; traffic and safety remain focus

Jeff Davis, Director of Engineering, told the Infrastructure Committee Monday that the I‑95 Broadway Bridge replacement is underway and remains on the contractor’s original schedule, with a contract completion date of Nov. 20, 2026.

Davis, who said New England Infrastructure (NEI) was awarded the contract in 2023, described the work sequencing: a temporary bridge was built to carry southbound traffic while the project reconfigured lanes, the existing southbound structure has been used to carry northbound traffic while the northbound bridge is rebuilt, and once the new northbound span is completed the contractor will replace the southbound span and remove the temporary structure.

The update matters because the bridge project is part of a broader MaineDOT multi‑year investment in regional bridges and intersections; the city is coordinating on intersection safety work at Broadway and Alden, Broadway and Earl, and Broadway and Central Street, Davis said.

Davis told the committee the notice to proceed date was June 29, 2023, the project is roughly 54 percent complete and concrete abutment work and beam installation are current near‑term activities. He said some temporary full closures are required for certain lifts and beam work and that the contractor coordinates closely with MaineDOT and the city to manage closures and resident complaints.

Committee members raised concerns about driver speeds, traffic management and a string of winter accidents; one councilor said enforcement by state police has been limited and that some drivers exceed the posted 50 mph limit on the corridor. Davis said he will follow up with MaineDOT about traffic management and enforcement and noted that DOT revised the contractor’s traffic management plan after winter conditions and accident patterns.

Davis also mentioned that the city receives progress reports and that a live‑feed camera link is available in the project memo to monitor on‑site activity. He said additional statewide bridge projects — including Stillwater Avenue, Condus Gate, Hogan Road, the Diverging Diamond project and Chase Road — will be coordinated in coming years and that city staff will continue to bring updates to the committee.

The committee thanked outgoing Public Works staff member Aaron Hootery for his service; Davis closed by offering to return with further schedule or intersection detail at a future meeting.