OGUNQUIT, Maine — Work began this week on the $13.5 million project to reconstruct Route 1 in Ogunquit, a project that will rebuild the roadway, two bridges and give the village a facelift.
The Maine Department of Transportation project is expected to continue through December 2016 with a break in work from June 18 through Labor Day because of the heavy tourism of the area.
Route 1 is the primary road for Ogunquit, which swells from about 3,500 to nearly 35,000 each summer. The town of Ogunquit has contributed $ 1.8 million to enhance the sidewalks and streetscape.
The work will include building two new bridges over the Ogunquit and Josias Rivers. R.J. Grondin & Sons of Gorham has been awarded the contract to complete the project.
“Construction is always difficult on a major route like this one,” said Department of Transportation project manager Ernie Martin.
“But we’ve made a lot of compromises to minimize the inconvenience — especially halting construction for 11 weeks during the busiest season. Everyone will be working long and hard to finish the project by Dec. 30, 2016 — or possibly earlier, thanks to strong incentives for the contractor to finish before the deadline,” he said. “It has truly been a collaborative effort with the town.”
“The town and Maine DOT have achieved a delicate balance between our members’ dependence on our tourism-based economy, and the long-term need for high-quality infrastructure that this project will provide,” said Karen Marie Arel, president of the Ogunquit Chamber of Commerce.
Ogunquit Town Manager Tom Fortier called Route 1 a year-round “lifeline” for Ogunquit “and the gateway for thousands of visitors each summer.”
“We feel confident that Maine DOT has listened to our needs, and shares our vision for a friendlier, better-looking streetscape,” Fortier said. “Though road construction is always inconvenient, I believe people will be really pleased with the end result.”
For more information go to www.mainedot.gov or www.facebook.com/OgunquitProject.