Traffic and construction updates in Augusta, Waterville

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Western Ave. Bridge, Augusta

The Maine Department of Transportation project to replace the bridge that carries Western Avenue (Route 202) over I-95 in Augusta is going to begin having significant traffic impacts later this month.

Beginning on Monday, October 28, the ramp that carries eastbound Western Avenue traffic to the interstate will be closed. Eastbound traffic will be able to use one of three detours to access I-95:

– Vehicles can continue eastbound down Western Avenue and reverse direction at Meadow Road/Fuller Road to access the interstate from the westbound side of Western Avenue.
– Vehicles can continue eastbound down Western Avenue and take a right on Senator Way followed by a left on Crossing Way (this goes past Target), and then access the interstate from the westbound side of Western Avenue. This option is the official truck detour.
– For southbound interstate access only, vehicles can take a right on Whitten Road before the interstate. There will be a new connection between Whitten Road and the southbound interstate ramp.

Beginning on Monday, November 18, the southbound interstate exit ramp at Exit 109B will also be closed. Southbound traffic can use Exit 109A to get off the interstate and onto Western Avenue.

Each of these ramp closures will last approximately 30 days. During this time, contractors will be constructing the temporary bridge that will carry Western Avenue over the interstate during the next phase of construction.

On-site construction for this project started in November 2023. The work has been happening primarily under the existing bridge and ramps with minimal traffic impacts.

The existing Western Avenue bridge is approximately 70 years old. MaineDOT is replacing the structure with a new bridge on a similar alignment. The new bridge will provide additional vertical clearance on the interstate. It will also include approximately 1,350 feet of new sidewalk along Western Avenue and Whitten Road to improve pedestrian access and safety.

The contractor for this project is Reed & Reed, Inc. of Woolwich. The contract amount is approximately $30 million.

Ticonic Bridge, Waterville-Winslow

Original plans, beginning December 16, the Ticonic Bridge across the Kennebec River, between Waterville and Winslow, will be closed to all traffic through June 20, 2025. However, because this falls during the holiday season, the Maine Department of Transportation and Cianbro Corp., the contractor, are in talks about delaying the closure until after the holidays. More details to come.

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Waterville construction update: Webb Rd. bridge now open Ticonic Bridge update

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Webb Road: Construction on the Webb Road Bridge, in Waterville, is complete and open to traffic. The Webb Road intersects with the West River Road, and travels west towards Pond Road, in Oakland.

Ticonic Bridge, Waterville/Winslow: Starting on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, the project will be closing the Ticonic Bridge to all traffic between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. for construction activities requiring access to the entire bridge.

Drivers are encouraged to drive cautiously, observe signage in the work zone, and reduce speed inside the work zone. Westbound travelers should continue to utilize the posted westbound detour.

Cianbro Corp. reminds the traveling public all sidewalks on the Ticonic Bridge are closed for the public’s safety. Pedestrians should continue to use the pedestrian detour across the Two Cent Bridge. Pedestrians should not walk around barricades, down the active lanes, in lane closures, or inside the work zone.

Also, it is unlawful and unsafe to traverse the river via the rail bridge. Pedestrians have been observed doing so and are reminded of the dangers of such activity. Pedestrians must utilize the Two Cent Bridge for foot traffic.

PHOTOS: Meeting a champion

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Angela Hallee, of Waterville

On October 6, Angela Hallee, of Waterville, and her son Travis Brunette, of Pittsfield, attended the New England Patriots game with the Miami Dolphins. At the game, they had the fortune to meet retired Patriots fullback James Develin. Develin played for the Patriots from 2013 – 2020, and was a member of a Super Bowl winning team.

Travis Brunette, of Pittsfield

EVENTS: Veterans urged to take part in Veterans Day parade

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All veterans and community members are invited to participate in the Waterville Veterans Day parade on Monday, November 11, 2024. Lineup begins at 10 a.m., at The Elm, 21 College Ave. Waterville. A ceremony will be held at Castonguay Square, on Main St., at 11 a.m. It will be followed by lunch at MacCrillis-Rousseau Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #8835, on Veterans Drive, in Winslow.

TEAM PHOTO: Waterville football grades 3 – 4

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Front row, Brayden Reed, Landon Nalley, Jaxson George, Jackson-Davenport Coulombe, Kartyr Stevens, Dominic Odonnell, Paxton O’Clair, and Kayson Glidden. Second row, Wyatt Dickey, Jayden Bradley, Rylee Emery, Nyeim Warren, Owen Stevens, Cameron Ray, Owen Champagne, Jayceon Turbide and Grayson Lima. Back row, Coaches Chad Glidden, Jonathan Turbide, Ace Velazquez and Nick Champagne. (photo by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography)

TEAM PHOTO: Waterville football 5th and 6th grade team

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Front row, from left to right, Jaxon Troxell, Phoenix McLoy, Peyton Ross, Judah Young, Tristan Ware, Cole Bean, Carson Pinkham and Zekhi Alvarez. Middle row, Benjamin Veilleux, Jase Spaulding, Dylan Devlin, Evan Karter, Malakhi Klaiber, Isaac Chase, and Brody Ware. Back row, Gage Eldredge, Donovan Reynolds, Ender Coleman, Alexander Sheehan, Jayce Damron, and Connor Jones. (photo by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography)

WATERVILLE: National Night Out Festival draws large turnout to South End

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Scott McAadoo helping as cook/food tent crew. (Photo by Galen Neal, Central Maine Photography)

On August 6, 2024, The South End Neighborhood Association (SENA) held its 18th Annual South End National Night Out Festival. This event is held to celebrate community and partnerships within Waterville’s South End neighborhood. This year included a free barbecue, live music, a magician, youth activities, giveaways, and so much fun. Throughout the year, SENA collaborates with local businesses and community partners on projects and programs to enhance Waterville’s South End Neighborhood.

Aerial view looking over the park.(Photo by Galen Neal, Central Maine Photography)

Window Dressers create affordable window inserts

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Volunteers hard at work assembling insulated window inserts. (photo by Roberta Barnes)

by Roberta Barnes

Our nights becoming chilly is a reminder to begin preparing for winter.

One of the first places to focus on is your windows.

While replacement energy efficient windows might not fit into your budget, insulating window inserts are affordable and assembling them with others can be enjoyable.

Last November I was one of the people who, after having windows measured by volunteers from WindowDressers, joined others like me, and volunteers, from China, Vassalboro, Windsor and Albion at the Vassalboro Mill to assemble insulating window inserts.

Together we securely assembled wooden frames, covered each side of the frame with strong clear plastic, and added foam edges.

The strong plastic securely sealed on all sides of the frame forms the pocket of insulating air that can help to keep your home warm.

While completing each insulating window insert requires the correct equipment, materials, instruction, and time, the atmosphere was so enjoyable that people volunteered for extra shifts.

This year the location in Vassalboro has changed and there is also a location in Waterville which can be seen on the WindowDressers website.

Today you can either request window inserts by filling out the form online on the website https://windowdressers.org/ or sign up to volunteer.

In Maine you can also call (207) 596-3073. The deadline for signing up for inserts is September 15, 2024.

The cost for these insulting window inserts is kept affordable by the donations and volunteers helping to assemble the inserts.

You can estimate the cost of the inserts on the windowdressers.org website. There is also a low or no-pay Special Rate Program where you pay what you can afford.

You can discuss paying for your inserts with the person or people from WindowDressers when they come out to measure the windows.

There may be a limit of 10 inserts for this Special Rate Program.

The deadline for signing up to receive the window inserts for this winter 2024/2025 is September 15, 2024.

It is best if you go online today at https://windowdressers.org/, or call (207) 596-3073. Doing this can help you keep the chilly air outside your windows and enjoy being one of the people assembling the inserts in a friendly upbeat atmosphere.

(photo by Roberta Barnes)