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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 27, 2019
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Turnpike officials expecting steady traffic leading up to the 4th of July
Authority anticipates an 1.3% increase in traffic over last year’s 4th of July travel
PORTLAND, Maine – The Maine Turnpike Authority anticipates a steady stream of traffic on its roadway leading up to Independence Day next Thursday.MTA expects traffic to grow by approximately 1.3 percent over last year’s Fourth of July travel, with more than 700,000 transactions along the Maine Turnpike between this Friday and Saturday alone.
From January through May 2019, the turnpike has seen a 3.34% growth in traffic compared to the same period in 2018.2018 marked the busiest year in Maine Turnpike history. With heavy traffic expected on the road, the MTA is urging motorists to be aware of peak times, plan accordingly, and drive safely.
Motorists can expect traffic to be heavy northbound on Friday, with the peak hours between 4:00 PM and 8:00 PM.Traffic on Saturday northbound is expected to be heavy between the hours of 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM.Wednesday is expected to also be another day with high traffic volumes as people arrive just before the holiday.“Because the 4th of July falls on Thursday this year, it changes the flow of incoming traffic and spreads out people’s arrivals—their departures on the other hand are likely to remain consistent,” said MTA spokesperson, Erin Courtney, “We expect traffic to be heaviest southbound on Sunday, July 7th as both week-long vacationers and long-weekenders all head home.” Motorists can expect southbound traffic on Sunday to be heaviest between 11:00 AM and 6:00 PM, particularly at the York Toll Plaza.
Construction related lane closures will vary by location next week with none scheduled on the 4th. “Motorists will still need to use caution as they drive through a number of active construction projects out on the road,” said Courtney. “We ask that motorists drive safely and pay special attention when traveling through work zones as lanes may be narrowed and speed limits are lower.”
For information about the upcoming Piscataqua River Bridge project and the ongoing York Toll Plaza Relocation, go to the Maine Ahead website: www.buildingabettergateway.com. This work is part of "Maine Ahead: Building a Better Gateway" a collaboration involving the Maine Department of Transportation, the Maine Turnpike Authority, and the New Hampshire Department of Transportation. Get updates by following Maine Ahead News on Facebook and Twitter and by visiting the website.
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