Tue March 16, 2021 - Northeast Edition
Portland Press Herald
A rendering of the redesigned exit 45 looking south. The red-colored tower on the left is the site of the Christmas Tree shop. (Maine Turnpike Authority)
The
Maine Turnpike Authority (MTA) is starting construction on one of its most expensive transportation projects in years, a $28 million rebuild of the Exit 45 interchange.
The heavily traveled turnpike exit facilitates the movement of traffic in and around the congested Maine Mall in South Portland.
Reconstruction of the Exit 45 interchange, commonly known as the Maine Mall exit, will not be fully finished until 2023, according to a news release from the turnpike authority.