Staff Writer 

There’s more bad news for commuters who are already frustrated with construction south of interstates 95 and 295. By this time next month Maine Department of Transportation crews will begin an $8 million renovation of I-295 between exits 3 and 4 in South Portland. 

Maine Department of Transportation Project Manager Ernie Martin said the department is accepting bids for construction of additional north and southbound auxiliary lanes and a concrete sound barrier between the two exits. 

In September, Martin and South Portland city officials estimated the entire project to cost nearly $1.5 million. Now, Martin said construction is projected to cost more than five times original estimates. He said the project will still be funded entirely with federal highway dollars previously earmarked for high priority projects.

“We’ve added a lot to it – it sort of morphed into something much larger,” Martin said of the project. “Now we have signage, lighting and of course the sound wall. It’s got a whole bundle of stuff that wasn’t originally proposed.” 

Nathan Howard is the MDOT transportation specialist who collected citizen input about the need for a sound barrier between the two exits. 

According to his research, more than 75 percent of residents – some three streets away from the highway – supported the proposal for a sound barrier. While Howard and Martin had originally thought to construct the sound barrier with wood, Howard said they ultimately decided to use concrete “for the reasons of longevity and maintenance.” 

Martin said the concrete wall, more than 3,300 feet long and 15 feet high, will cost $50 a square foot, or $2.5 million – $1 million more than it would have been if constructed with wooden timbers. Because the project is funded entirely with transportation money, the council does not need to approve the increase in cost, he said. 

“It will either be a concrete or a concrete composite material,” Martin said of the wall. 

Martin said material for a concrete wall is more expensive than wood but is easier to construct. He said MDOT will save on labor costs by building the wall with large concrete slabs rather than individual wood timbers. Ultimately, however, Howard said the overall cost of a concrete wall is approximately 20 percent higher than a wooden one.

City Councilor Jim Hughes said he was relieved to see MDOT responding to citizen need. 

He credited approval of the project to the hard work of Democratic South Portland state Rep. Bryan Kaenrath and relaxed MDOT standards.

“I think [MDOT] can look forward to more of this. They have a procedure to go through and the rules have been liberalized – made easier – which is fairer for abutters,” Hughes said. “I’m surprised there aren’t more areas looking for a project like this.”

Although pleased to hear the project was moving forward, Hughes was surprised the cost for the wall is $1 million above original estimates.

“When they originally came to us they said it was a barebones project,” he said. “But I will say that it’s not a surprise to see a project increase in scope.”

    Staff Writer Nate Jones may be reached at 282-4337 ext. 233.