Exit 86 southbound on Maine Turnpike to be closed beginning July 24

PORTLAND – The Maine Turnpike southbound off-ramp of Exit 86 Interchange in Sabattus will be closed for approximately 21 days beginning at 6 a.m. Monday, July 24.

The closure is required to complete upgrades to the tolling equipment on the ramp, according to a news release from the Maine Turnpike Authority. Upgrades to the other three ramps at Exit 86 are also in progress, however, no other ramps will be closed.

“We tried to minimize the effect on the traveling public as much as we possibly could,” said MTA spokeswoman, Erin Courtney. “We were able to create temporary travel lanes for the other three on- and off-ramps, but southbound-off was too close to a stream, making a closure of the ramp necessary,” said Courtney.

Message boards are in place and will continue to inform approaching travelers of the closure. The Maine Turnpike Authority appreciates motorists’ patience and understanding during this construction, the release said.

The Exit 86 ramp work is included as part of a much larger $6.5 million project, awarded to Lane Construction Corporation of Lewiston. The project consists of pavement rehabilitation and clearzone improvements from Mile 80.7 in Lewiston to Mile 88.6 in Sabattus. The overall project is scheduled to be completed this fall.