FORT FAIRFIELD, Maine – Two of central Aroostook’s major ports of entry into the United States and Canada will remain open while their border stations receive upgrades.
Limestone and Fort Fairfield are two of the five border stations in the state expected to receive upgrades through the $3.4 billion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, $195 million of which has been allocated to Maine. Other stations will include Houlton, Calais and Coburn Gore.
While Fort Fairfield’s border station has remained open 24/7, Limestone’s hours were reduced from 24/7 to 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. in 2017, and again in 2019 to its current hours, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Those hours will remain the same during construction, said Paul Hughes, regional public affairs office for General Services Administration.
At a public meeting last fall, General Services Administration leaders were still not sure if Limestone’s border would close during construction, but residents urged them to consider reopening it 24/7.
Construction at Limestone’s station is expected to occur from winter 2026 to winter 2028 and cost between $15 million and $25 million. Fort Fairfield’s will last from winter 2027 to summer 2029 and cost $35 million to $45 million.
General Services Administration has awarded AECOM $3.8 million and $4.75 million contracts for concept and design development and construction administration support for the Limestone and Fort Fairfield projects, respectively.
Limestone and Fort Fairfield’s stations were built in 1933 and 1934, respectively, and both will be renovated with modern safety and security features, electrical and plumbing. Officials have said that both stations are too small to accommodate current traffic levels.
Either port might need to be shut down temporarily due to electric utility work, but if that happens, alternative routes will be announced to travelers, Hughes said.
