Interstate 95 in Maine

Interstate 95 marker

Interstate 95
I-95 highlighted in red
Route information
Maintained by MaineDOT and Maine Turnpike Authority
Length 303.2 mi[1] (488.0 km)
Maine Turnpike: 101.43 miles (163.24 km)[2]
Existed 1956 – present
Major junctions
South end I‑95 in Portsmouth, NH
  I‑195 in Saco
I‑295 near Portland
I‑495 in Portland
US 202 / SR 4 / SR 100 in Gray and Auburn
I‑295 near Gardiner
US 202 / SR 11 / SR 17 / SR 100 in Augusta
US 201 in Fairfield
I‑395 / SR 15 in Bangor
US 2 / SR 100 in Bangor
US 1 in Houlton
North end Route 95 / US 2 at the Houlton–Woodstock Border Crossing
Location
Counties York, Cumberland, Androscoggin, Kennebec, Somerset, Waldo, Penobscot, Aroostook
Highway system
Maine State Highway System
← SR 94SR 95 →

In the U.S. state of Maine, Interstate 95 (I-95) is a 303-mile-long (488 km) highway running from the New Hampshire state line near Kittery, to the Canadian border near Houlton. It is the only two-digit Interstate Highway in Maine. In 2004, the highway's route between Portland and Gardiner was changed so that it encompasses the entire Maine Turnpike (including the former I-495 between Falmouth and Gardiner), which runs from Kittery to Augusta.

Route description

Entering Maine from New Hampshire on the Piscataqua River Bridge
Northbound in Kittery, Maine

I-95 enters Maine from New Hampshire on the Piscataqua River Bridge, which connects Portsmouth, New Hampshire with Kittery. At mile 2 (Spruce Creek) in Kittery, the highway becomes the Maine Turnpike. The highway runs in a general northeasterly direction, parallel with U.S. 1, at this point. I-95 bypasses the Biddeford/Saco area, with a spur route (Interstate 195) connecting to Old Orchard Beach.

At Scarborough, Interstate 95 meets Interstate 295. The highway turns north, serving the Portland International Jetport and bypassing Portland to the west. At Falmouth, the highway meets unsigned Interstate 495, also called the Falmouth Spur. Until January 2004, I-95 followed the Falmouth Spur and I-295 between Falmouth and Gardiner.

The highway continues north along the Maine Turnpike (which was I-495 prior to 2004) through Gray to Auburn and Lewiston, which the Turnpike bypasses to the south. The highway then runs in an easterly direction to meet Interstate 295 at Gardiner. From there, I-95 parallels the Kennebec River past Augusta and Waterville. The highway then crosses the river at Fairfield and then turns northeast along the Sebasticook River past Pittsfield to Newport.

I-95 then continues east alongside U.S. Route 2 from Newport to Bangor, where Interstate 395 connects to the city of Brewer. The highway runs along the northern edge of Bangor's center, then turns northeast, following the Penobscot River past Orono and Old Town (Prior to the early 1980s, I-95 was a super two highway north of Old Town).

The highway continues north, still running near the river, towards Howland. Near Lincoln, Interstate 95 runs north through uninhabited forest land, crossing the Penobscot River at Medway. The highway goes northeast and east, passing a series of small Aroostook County farming towns before reaching Houlton, where it connects to New Brunswick Route 95 and U.S. Route 2 at the international border. North of Bangor, traffic levels drop noticeably, with AADT averaging only about 5,000 in northern Penobscot County and going down to as low as 2,000–4,000 in Houlton.[3]

Speed limits

The Maine Turnpike had a posted speed limit of 70 mph (113 km/h) in the early 1970s, but as Maine then had no law against traveling less than 10 mph (16 km/h) over the posted speed, the de facto speed limit was 79 mph (127 km/h). In 1974, as part of a federal mandate, the speed limit was reduced to 55 mph (89 km/h), with a new law including a "less than 10 over" violation. In 1987, Congress allowed states to post 65 mph (105 km/h) on rural interstate highways. Following the relaxation, Maine increased its speed limit. In May 2011, a bill was introduced to raise the speed limit from Old Town to Houlton from 65 mph (105 km/h) to 75 mph (121 km/h). It passed, with Maine the first state east of the Mississippi River since the 1970s to establish a 75 mph (121 km/h) speed limit.[4][5]

A further law passed in 2013 by the Maine Legislature allowed the Maine Department of Transportation and the Turnpike Authority to change speed limits with the approval of the Maine State Police. Per that law, Maine DOT increased the 65 mph (105 km/h) limit to 70 mph (113 km/h) on several sections of Interstate 95 on May 27, 2014. These areas included the section from mile marker 114 just outside Augusta to mile 126 just before Waterville. In addition, the section from Fairfield (just north of Waterville) to Bangor also saw an increase to 70 mph (113 km/h).[6] Speed limits on sections controlled by the Turnpike Authority increased on August 11, 2014. The sections from mile marker 2.1 in Kittery to mile marker 44.1 in Scarborough and the section from mile marker 52.3 in Falmouth to mile marker 109 in Augusta increased from 65 mph (105 km/h) to 70 mph (113 km/h). The section from mile marker 44.1 in Scarborough to mile marker 52.3 in Falmouth increased from 55 mph (89 km/h) to 60 mph (97 km/h). The Falmouth Spur, outside the toll plaza area, increased from 50 mph (80 km/h) to 60 mph (97 km/h).[7]

Exit list

Note: toll rates listed in this exit list are for Class 1 vehicles paying cash. They do not reflect lower rates for drivers using E-ZPass tags or higher rates for other vehicle classes.

CountyLocation[8]mi[8]kmExitDestinationsNotes
YorkKittery0.000.00– I‑95 south – Portsmouth, BostonContinuation from New Hampshire over the Piscataqua River
0.621.001 To SR 103 / Dennett Road – Eliot, Kittery Foreside Navy YardNorthbound exit and southbound entrance
1.242.002
US 1 / SR 236 / US 1 Byp. – Kittery, South Berwick		Southbound signage

US 1 south / SR 236 south / US 1 Byp. south – Kittery Center, Memorial Circle		Northbound signage
3 US 1 north (Coastal Route) / SR 236 north – Kittery, South Berwick
York6.7910.937 To SR 91 / US 1 – The Yorks, Ogunquit, The BerwicksThe Yorks only appears on northbound signage; The Berwicks only appears on southbound signage
7.2011.59Maine Turnpike York Toll Barrier—Cars $3
Wells19.0030.5819 SR 9 / SR 109 – Wells, SanfordNorthbound entrance toll $1.50
Kennebunk25.0140.2525 SR 35 – Kennebunk, KennebunkportEntrance toll $1
Biddeford31.0950.0332 SR 111 – BiddefordEntrance toll $1
Biddeford–Saco line32.5352.35Saco River
Saco35.2056.6536 I‑195 east – Saco, Old Orchard BeachEntrance toll $1
CumberlandScarborough41.9067.4342 To US 1 – ScarboroughEntrance toll $1
43.5170.0244 I‑295 north – South Portland, Downtown PortlandNorthbound exit and southbound entrance; $1 toll
South Portland44.2471.2045 To I‑295 / US 1 / SR 114 / Maine Mall Road / Payne RoadEntrance toll $1; I-295 only appears on southbound signage
Portland45.6473.4546 To SR 22 (Congress Street) / SR 9 – JetportEntrance toll $1
46.0274.06Stroudwater River
46.6575.0847 SR 25 (Rand Road / Westbrook Arterial)Entrance toll $1
47.8376.9748 To SR 25 / US 302 / Riverside Street / Larrabee RoadEntrance toll $1
50.8781.8752 To I‑295 / US 1 – Falmouth, Freeport$1 toll on the Falmouth Spur
Portland–Falmouth line51.0382.12Presumpscot River
Falmouth51.6283.0753 SR 26 / SR 100 – West FalmouthEntrance toll $1
Gray62.33100.3163 US 202 / SR 115 / SR 4 to SR 26 – Gray, New GloucesterSouthbound entrance toll $1.50
New Gloucester66.03106.26Maine Turnpike New Gloucester Toll Barrier—Cars $2.25
AndroscogginAuburn74.17119.3775 US 202 / SR 4 / SR 100 – Auburn
Auburn–Lewiston line77.78125.17Androscoggin River
Lewiston79.11127.3280 To SR 196 – Lewiston
Sabattus84.91136.6586 SR 9 – Sabattus, Lisbon
KennebecLitchfield–West Gardiner line97.79157.38Cobbosseecontee Stream
West Gardiner98.74158.91Maine Turnpike West Gardiner Toll Barrier—Cars $1.75
100.50161.74102 SR 9 / SR 126 to I‑295 south – Gardiner, LitchfieldNorthbound exit and southbound entrance
101.25162.95103 I‑295 south / SR 9 / SR 126 – Gardiner, BrunswickSouthbound exit and northbound entrance; $1 toll
Augusta108.09173.95109A US 202 east / SR 11 east / SR 17 east / SR 100 east – Augusta, AirportSigned as Exit 109 northbound; Airport only appears on southbound signage
109B US 202 west / SR 11 west / SR 17 west / SR 100 west – Winthrop
110.57177.95112 SR 8 / SR 11 / SR 27 – Augusta, BelgradeSigned as Exits 112A (south) and 112B (north) northbound
111.43179.33113 SR 3 – Augusta, Belfast
Sidney119.02191.54120Lyons Road – Sidney
Waterville122.92197.82124Trafton RoadOpened July 14, 2017
125.72202.33127 SR 11 / SR 137 – Waterville, Oakland
128.79207.27130 SR 104 (Main Street) – Waterville, WinslowWinslow only appears on southbound signage
SomersetFairfield130.84210.57132 SR 139 – Fairfield, Benton
131.87212.22133 US 201 – Fairfield, Skowhegan
Somerset–Kennebec
county line		Fairfield–Benton line132.15212.67Kennebec River
KennebecClinton136.46219.61138Hinckley Road – Clinton, Burnham
Waldo
 No major junctions
SomersetPittsfield148.34238.73150Somerset Avenue – Pittsfield, Hartland, BurnhamHartland only appears on northbound signage; Burnham only appears on southbound signage
149.65240.84Sebasticook River
Palmyra155.27249.88157 SR 11 / SR 100 to SR 7 / US 2 – Newport, Dexter, SkowheganSR 7 and Dexter only appear on northbound signage; US 2 and Skowhegan only appears on southbound signage
PenobscotNewport157.18252.96159Ridge Road – Newport, PlymouthSouthbound exit and northbound entrance
Plymouth159.45256.61161 SR 7 – East Newport, Plymouth
Etna165.42266.22167 SR 69 / SR 143 – Etna, Dixmont
Newburgh172.20277.13174 SR 69 – Carmel, Winterport
Hampden175.04281.70Souadabscook Stream
175.54282.50
176.31283.74
178.12286.66180Cold Brook Road – Hermon, Hampden
Bangor180.89291.11182A I‑395 / SR 15 south to US 1A / SR 9 – Bangor, BrewerSouthern end of concurrency with SR 15; Exit 1 on I-395
182B To US 2 west / SR 100 west – Hermon
181.76292.51183 US 2 / SR 100 (Hammond Street) – Airport
182.61293.88184 SR 222 (Union Street) / Ohio Street – AirportOhio Street only appears on southbound signage
183.08294.64Kenduskeag Stream
183.82295.83185
SR 15 north (Broadway) / SR 15 Bus. – Bangor, Brewer		Northern end of concurrency with SR 15; SR 15 Bus., Bangor, and Brewer only appear on southbound signage
184.95297.65186Stillwater AvenueNo northbound entrance or exits to southbound Stillwater Avenue; access to Bangor Mall
185.73298.90187Hogan Road – Bangor, Veazie
Orono189.20304.49191Kelly Road – Orono, VeazieOrono only appears on northbound signage; Veazie only appears on southbound signage
191.37307.98193Stillwater Avenue – Stillwater, Old Town, OronoOld Town only appears on northbound signage; Orono only appears on southbound signage
Old Town194.59313.16Pushaw Stream
195.38314.43197 SR 43 – Old Town, Hudson
197.86318.42199 SR 16 – Alton, Lagrange, MiloNorthbound exit and southbound entrance
Alton–Argyle line199.84321.61Birch Stream
Howland214.97345.96217 SR 6 / SR 155 – Howland, Lagrange
217.01349.24Piscataquis River
​225.74363.29227 To US 2 / SR 6 / SR 116 – Lincoln, MattawamkeagMattawamkeag only appears on northbound signage
Medway242.23389.83Penobscot River
242.66390.52244 SR 157 – Medway, Millinocket, MattawamkeagMedway only appears on northbound signage; Mattawamkeag only appears on southbound signage
245.15394.53Salmon Stream
Penobscot–Aroostook
county line		Herseytown–Benedicta line257.18413.89259BenedictaNorthbound exit and southbound entrance
Penobscot
 No major junctions
AroostookSherman262.43422.34264 SR 158 to SR 11 – Sherman, PattenPatten only appears on northbound signage
Island Falls274.10441.12276 SR 159 – Island Falls, PattenPatten only appears on southbound signage
274.71442.10Fish Stream
275.44443.28West Branch Mattawamkeag River
Oakfield283.95456.97286Oakfield Road – Oakfield, Smyrna Mills
284.16457.31East Branch Mattawamkeag River
Smyrna289.42465.78291 US 2 – Smyrna
Houlton300.05482.88302 US 1 – Houlton, Presque Isle
300.92484.28Meduxnekeag River
302.93487.52305 US 2 – Houlton International Airport, Houlton Industrial ParkHoulton International Airport only appears on northbound signage; eastern terminus of US 2
303.12487.82– Route 95 east – WoodstockContinuation beyond Houlton–Woodstock Border Crossing into New Brunswick
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

Maine Turnpike

Maine Turnpike shield

History

Early postcard showing entrance at Kittery

The Maine Turnpike Authority was created by the Maine Legislature in 1941 to connect Kittery and Fort Kent. In 1947, the first section of highway, designated the Maine Turnpike, opened between Kittery and Portland. In 1953, the Turnpike Authority began construction on an extension to the state capital at Augusta using the former right-of-way of the Portland–Lewiston Interurban railway from Portland through Falmouth.[9] The original turnpike was the largest construction project in the state's history until the construction of the extension, which opened to the public on December 13, 1955.[10]

The Maine Turnpike was the first highway funded using revenue bonds. It remains self-financed and does not receive funding from the state or federal government. When the first section opened in 1947, it was only the second superhighway in the United States following the October 1940 opening of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. For these reasons, the Maine Turnpike was named a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Civil Engineers in 1999[11] .

In 1956, one year after the Portland-Augusta extension opened, Congress created the Interstate Highway System. The remaining sections to be built—from Augusta to Fort Kent—would be publicly funded freeways instead of toll roads under the Maine Turnpike Authority. Today this highway, which ends at Houlton instead of Fort Kent, is signed as Interstate 95 throughout and the Maine Turnpike between the New Hampshire line at Kittery and the junction with US 202 near Augusta.

Tolls

Early postcard of tollbooths at Kittery

The segment of Interstate 95 from Kittery to Augusta runs along the Maine Turnpike. This is a toll road for all of its length except for south of York and the section between Auburn and Sabattus. Flat-fee tolls are paid upon entering the turnpike and at toll barriers in York, New Gloucester, and West Gardiner. The turnpike joined the E-ZPass electronic toll collection network in 2005, replacing the former Maine-only system designated Transpass that was implemented in 1997.[12]

The tollbooths on the Maine Turnpike were not supposed to be permanent. Toll collections were to stop once the Maine Turnpike Authority paid off the debt from the road's construction. In the 1980s the bonds were going to be paid off but the Maine Legislature authorized the Maine Turnpike Authority in 1982 to continue as a quasi-governmental agency and to continue to collect tolls in order to fund the maintenance of the section of highway controlled by the MTA.[13]

Service areas

There are five service areas on the turnpike. Two are accessible northbound, two southbound, and one is accessible from both directions. All are open 24 hours and provide food and fuel services. They also have ATMs. Some have small gift shops. The plazas are at the following locations:

  • Kennebunk plazas northbound and southbound at milepost 25 the plazas offer food, fuel, gift shops. The original plazas opened in 1947 and incorporated a pedestrian tunnel under the highway to connect the two. These original plazas were replaced in 1972 and the tunnel was sealed. These 1972 plazas were replaced during the winter of 2006–2007.
  • Gray plaza (northbound) and Cumberland plaza (southbound) at milepost 58 offer food and fuel. Both plazas were rebuilt in the mid-2000s.
  • West Gardiner plaza: At the I-95/I-295/ME 126 intersection, accessible by both directions of I-95 and I-295. Food court, fuel, gift shop, information are available.

There is a rest area and tourist welcome center located on the turnpike northbound at milepost 3 in Kittery. There are weigh stations located on the turnpike northbound and southbound in York at milepost 4 (southbound) and milepost 6 (northbound). There are ramps to and from the northbound turnpike to the Saco Ramada Hotel and Conference Center in Saco at milepost 35.[14] The ramps are from the original exit 5 which was replaced when I-195 was opened just to the north. The hotel was built on the site of the old toll plaza. Ramps connecting the hotel to and from the southbound turnpike were removed as part of the widening project in the early 2000s when hotel ownership opted not to pay nearly $1 million to build a new bridge.

Previous to the West Gardiner rest area's opening, which serves both directions of the turnpike, there were rest areas located in Lewiston (southbound at milepost 83) and Litchfield (northbound at milepost 98).

References

  1. ↑ Maine State Route Log Archived February 28, 2008, at Archive.is (via floodgap.com)
  2. ↑ "Welcome to the Maine Turnpike Authority". Maineturnpike.com. Retrieved September 19, 2011.
  3. ↑ "Interstate 95 Annual Average Daily Traffic". Interstate-Guide. Retrieved September 19, 2011.
  4. ↑ Miller, Kevin (May 12, 2011). "Bill would boost speed limit to 75 mph on northern highway". Bangor Daily News. Archived from the original on July 15, 2012. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  5. ↑ "Lawmakers OK 75-mph speed limit between Old Town, Houlton, Bangor Daily News, June 29, 2011". The Bangor Daily News. Retrieved October 4, 2014.
  6. ↑ Koenig, Paul (May 27, 2014). "Speed limit increasing by 5 mph on parts of I-295, I-95". Kennebec Journal. Retrieved May 27, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Turnpike News: Travel Advisories". Turnpike Traveler Services. Maine Turnpike Authority. Archived from the original on October 2, 2014. Retrieved October 4, 2014.
  8. 1 2 Maine Department of Transportation. MaineDOT Public Map Viewer (Map). Maine Department of Transportation. Retrieved April 7, 2017.
  9. ↑ Cummings, Osmond Richard. "Portland-Lewiston Interurban: a history of the finest electric interurban railway to run in the State of Maine". Bangor Public Library. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Maine Turnpike Authority History".
  11. ↑ "Maine Turnpike". Archived from the original on June 2, 2013.
  12. ↑ "E-ZPass Information Frequently Asked Questions".
  13. ↑ "Keep the change: Toll highways aren't going away".
  14. ↑ "Ramada Saco / Old Orchard Beach Area (official site)". Retrieved October 4, 2014.

Route map:

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Interstate 95
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