LEWISTON — The Maine Turnpike Authority will begin blasting operations next week as part of replacing the Exit 80 interchange and both bridges that carry turnpike traffic over Alfred Plourde Parkway.

According to an MTA news release, blasting will take place during daylight hours, Monday through Friday, with some occasional weekend and night work if necessary.

Blasting operations are scheduled for up to twice a day for up to four months. Traffic stops of up to 8 minutes on the turnpike and Alfred Plourde Parkway can be expected during blasting.

The project, scheduled for completion in 2017, will redesign the interchange to improve traffic operations, accommodate long-term traffic projections and create consistency with existing and planned development in the area.

The project also realigns the four on-and-off-ramps into one intersection instead of two. 

Construction will be completed in three phases.

The first phase includes redesigning the four ramps, including construction of a new northbound on-ramp. Motorists can expect traffic stops and intermittent ramp closures.

Later this year, several long-term ramp closures will be scheduled, including the northbound off-ramp for six days in July, the southbound off-ramp for four days in August, and the southbound on-ramp for 14 days in September.

Phase Two of the project, which includes replacement of the northbound and southbound bridges, will begin in late 2014. The final phase, which includes construction to align the four interchange ramps to a newly built traffic signal intersection, is expected to be complete by 2017.

R.J. Grondin & Sons of Gorham is the primary contractor for the first phase of the project, with a cost of $5.1 million. The total interchange project cost is estimated at approximately $15.5 million.

More detailed project information is available at  www.MaineTurnpike.com