Exit 63 SB Closing
Temporary Closing of Maine Turnpike’s Southbound On-Ramp at Gray Exit 63 Scheduled For Friday, October 21 at 10 AM
New Exit 63 On-Ramp Pattern Beginning Monday, October 24
GRAY, Maine – The Maine Turnpike Authority plans to close the southbound on-ramp at Exit 63 in Gray beginning at 10 AM this Friday so that construction crews can complete the final steps needed to open the new southbound toll plaza in time for the Monday morning commute on October 24.
In addition, the new southbound off-ramp will open to drivers exiting the Turnpike at Gray beginning Friday, October 21. This new off-ramp bears right, leading drivers to an intersection that was created by the addition of the new toll plaza where Route 26A joins Route 202 on the western side of the Turnpike.
The design of the new interchange will ease traffic congestion during peak commuting hours. Where northbound and southbound traffic share a ramp in the previous design, the new interchange gives southbound traffic its own ramp joining the Maine Turnpike.
“Southbound entering the turnpike in the morning is one of the busiest times at the Exit 63 plaza and afternoon northbound off is the busiest,” said Erin Courtney of the Maine Turnpike Authority. “It made sense to separate these rather than them all going through the same ramp.”
The work being done at Exit 63 consists of highway, bridge, signage and toll system improvements at the Gray interchange. In addition to the improvements associated with the new southbound ramps and new southbound toll, the contractor is also performing work along the Maine Turnpike, the northbound ramps, Route 202 and Route 26A. The toll plaza work includes a new toll administration building located by the southbound ramps and reconstruction of the existing toll plaza for the northbound ramps.
The total Exit 63 Interchange Project cost was estimated at approximately $10.7 million and the primary contractor for the project is Shaw Brothers Construction of Gorham.
The Maine Turnpike Authority is a quasi-state agency created by the Maine Legislature in1941. When the Maine Turnpike’s opened in 1947, it became the nation’s second superhighway and the very first to be funded exclusively through the sale of revenue bonds. While setting standards for maintenance and improvement, the Maine Turnpike continues to be a self-financed operation and does not receive funding from the state or federal government. Because of its prominence and reputation, it has been designated a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Civil Engineers. The Maine Turnpike Authority thanks all motorists for their patience during Turnpike improvements, and as always, thank you for driving safely.