Construction projects in the greater Caribou area are in full swing as the month of July winds down. City officials have released the following information for the general public to be aware of what to expect on U.S. Route 1 and Route 89.
Route 89 — According to officials working with the Caribou Connector Project, Sargent Corporation has begun work to backfill the Route 89 side of the Route 89 bridge abutments; traffic will be reduced to one-lane with flaggers. Sargent Corporation officials are hoping to be able to remove concrete barriers as the areas adjacent the Route 89 roadway will be close to the finished grade.
Sunrise Materials crews have completed construction of the Route 89 bridge abutments and wing walls, so construction activities should be reduced in this area. Typically two-lane traffic should be maintained at the construction areas. The speed limit through the construction zone will remain 35 mph until construction of the Route 89 Bridge is complete. Major earth moving activities will continue and this work should only affect traffic at Route 89 for short periods for the time being.
Route 1/Van Buren Road — Sunrise Materials workers will continue to place forms and reinforcing for Route 1 bridge abutment wall number 2, with tentative plans to place concrete on July 26. Sargent Corporation plans to maintain two-lane traffic through the construction zone with periods of occasional one-lane traffic for certain construction-related activities.
The moving of the existing Rowland property garages has been completed. Sargent Corporation crews have begun moving fill from the west side of Route 1 across to the east side of Route 1. Flaggers will be at the site to direct construction equipment across Route 1 so that Route 1 traffic will not be interrupted and will remain safe from the construction equipment. Construction signs have been placed to keep traffic safe from the construction. The speed zone has been reduced to 40 mph through the construction zone and will remain throughout the construction of the Route 1 bridge. Major earth-moving activities will continue throughout the next month, including the construction equipment crossing of Route 1. Earth-moving activities should not effect traffic at Route 1 for the time being.
ITS and Longfellow Bridges — Sunrise Materials staff planned to place concrete for the ITS bridge footing last week. Sargent Corporation plans to begin clearing and grubbing for the Longfellow Brook bridge where construction has been scheduled to begin on Aug. 1. These work zones are away from major traffic areas and should not interfere with the traveling public.
