I-395 Extension Moves Forward As Large Pathway Is Cleared Through Three Maine Towns [PHOTOS]

As the winter draws to an end and the snow is melting, commuters can now really start to visualize what the Route 9 Connector from I-395 to the Airline Road in Eddington will look like.

The I-395 extension will extend the current I395 to move north through Brewer, Holden, and Eddington to merge with Route 9. This is created to direct a majority of traffic away from Route 1A to provide 'a regional solution' to ongoing issues that Route 1A through Holden, Dedham, and Ellsworth endure for traffic to flow to the tourist locations of Acadia National Park and Mount Desert Island, including impeding local traffic and safety issues.

Clearing way for the Route 9 Connector

Recent progress of the project has cleared out a path from the I-395 extension and northward, intersecting with regional roads in Brewer and nearby towns. According to the project page for the extension on the Maine DOT website, an update from May of 2021 mentions major bridge construction at these intersecting sections of the I395 extension: "Major bridge construction is planned at Eastern Avenue, Lambert Road, Levensellar Road, and Clewleyville Road to accommodate the connector. Many other structures will also be built but will not affect traffic movement along these roads."

Bridges and Road Detours to Come

Further information on the Maine DOT website for the project details what each bridge will need for these intersections and the timeline of construction and final paving in order for I-395 to progress towards eventual use for traffic.

Levensellar Road, Holden Intersection

The intersections of I-395 and Levensellar Road in Holden will lead local traffic over the extension. Building this bridge will close traffic off for 'one construction season'. Traffic will not be able to get through the location and will be rerouted from using this section of Levensellar.

Lambert/Clewleyville Road, Eddington Intersection

At this intersection, traffic moving along the Route 9 connector will flow over Clewleyville and Lambert Road with a newly constructed bridge. It is anticipated that traffic on Lambert Road will continue during this construction.

Eastern Avenue Intersection

This location where the Route 9 connector crosses Eastern Ave in Brewer will have Eastern Ave traffic move over Route 9 Connector traffic with another bridge that will need to be constructed. Eastern Ave is expected to have traffic diverted for 'one construction season' in order to build the bridge. It is expected that closing Eastern Ave for the time needed to build the bridge will create 'moderate traffic impacts' and add 8 minutes to those looking to use Eastern Ave when detouring is in place.

We got out on foot to take a look at the progress so far on the Route 9 Connector project for I-395. Here's how things are looking as of March 2022.