Officials with the Caribou Connector project/contract 2, have announced the following work will be taking place on Route 89 and Route 1.
Route 89 — Sargent Corporation plans to continue backfilling the Route 89 bridge abutments off the roadway. allowing two-lane traffic to be maintained under typical conditions 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 should only affect traffic at Route 89 for short periods time.
Sunrise Materials has tentatively planned to begin Next Beam (precast bridge decking) installation for the week starting on Sept. 12. The Next Beam installation will take place in the evening hours possibly throughout the night (starting as early as 7 p.m.). It is only anticipated to last one or two nights per bridge.
This installation will include possibly reducing traffic to one lane for the evening with periods of full traffic closures (10 to 15 minutes) as the beams are hoisted into place over the existing road. More detailed traffic information will be announced as it becomes available.
Route 1 / Van Buren Road — Sunrise Materials crews will continue to place forms and reinforcement for the Route 1 bridge wing wall number 1, and plan to place concrete on Friday, Aug. 26. There was a wing wall placement at abutment number 2 for the bridge on Aug. 17.
Sargent Corporation officials plan to maintain two-lane traffic through the construction zone with occasional trucks turning at this location. Sargent Corporation planned to begin placing drainage and backfill at the Route 1 intersection starting as early as Aug. 18. The contractor has continued 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 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 so during 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 shouldn’t effect traffic at Route 1 for the time being.
Sunrise Materials has tentatively planned to begin Next Beam (precast bridge decking) installation for the week starting on Sept. 12. The Next Beam installation is going to take place in the evening hours possibly through the night (starting as early as 7 p.m.). The Next Beam installation is only anticipated to last one to two nights per bridge. The Next Beam installation will include possibly reducing traffic to one lane for the evening with periods of full traffic closures (10 to 15 minutes) as the beams are hoisted into place over the existing road.
ITS and Longfellow bridges — Sunrise Materials plans to continue construction at the ITS bridge soon. Crews will also continue with construction of the Longfellow Brook bridge. Sunrise Materials had scheduled concrete construction of these two bridges by Aug. 22. These work zones are away from major traffic areas and should not interfere with the traveling public. Where the project comes in close proximity to the ITS trails, ATV operators should take caution.
