Nonprofit ranks most needed transportation projects in Maine [Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine]

Oct. 31--Spending $6.8 million to replace the Durham Bridge over the Androscoggin River is on a research organization's top 10 list of needed transportation projects in Maine.

TRIP, a nonprofit organization that researches, evaluates and distributes economic and technical data on surface transportation issues, released "Maine's Top 50 Transportation Challenges and Improvements Needed to Address Them" on Thursday. The 24-page report ranks the state's top 50 transportation challenges and possible solutions. Those transportation challenges include:

--12 sections of major roads or highways that need significant repairs or reconstruction

--19 major bridges in the state that have significant deficiencies and need to be rebuilt or reconstructed

--An expansion of a marine terminal

--18 sections of the state's transportation system that need improvements to address multiple challenges by improving safety, increasing access or improving road or bridge conditions

The Durham Bridge between Durham and Lisbon is noted because Route 9 is a major commuter route without practical alternative routes.

Also on the list are:

--Dixfield: Route 2 reconstruction

--Oxford: Covered bridge (Route 121) over Little Androscoggin River replacement

--Kingfield: Route 16/27 reconstruction

--Phillips, Madrid Township: Route 4 reconstruction

--Roxbury, Byron: Route 17 reconstruction

*Strong, Avon: Route 4 reconstruction

--Lewiston: Main Street reconstruction

--Jay: Route 4 reconstruction

--Bethel: Androscoggin River Bridge (Route 2) replacement

--Lewiston: Turnpike Exit 80 safety improvements

--Auburn: Oakdale Northbound Bridge (Route 202) over Little Androscoggin River replacement

TRIP is sponsored by insurance companies, equipment manufacturers, distributors and suppliers; businesses involved in highway and transit engineering and construction; labor unions; and organizations concerned with efficient and safe surface transportation.

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