Major Maine Road Project Set to Begin Phase 2 Later This Spring

Construction on Phase II of the Presque Isle bypass, one of Maine’s most expensive road projects, is expected to begin this spring, according to the Maine Department of Transportation.

According to WGME 13, the 6.17-mile project has been years in the making. Maine DOT originally anticipated breaking ground in 2018, but the timeline has slipped by more than six years. Officials have estimated the total cost at up to $84.3 million.

Once completed, Phase II will connect U.S. Route 1 near the Westfield town line to Conant Road in Presque Isle, linking it with Phase I, which opened in 2019. The news station reported that phase I represents the middle segment of a three-phase bypass plan first proposed as part of the Aroostook County Transportation Study in 1999. DOT documents list July 20, 2029, as the projected completion date for Phase II.

The bypass is designed to divert commercial traffic away from downtown Presque Isle, reducing congestion, improving safety, and shortening travel times through the area.

Channel 13 said that the project was officially advertised on Nov. 26, 2025, with bids closing this week. Orono-based Sargent Corporation submitted the only bid, totaling just under $78 million, according to bid documents published by the DOT. The department has up to 30 days to decide whether to award the contract.

A potential Phase III remains uncertain. The proposed northern segment would connect Phase I with Route 1 north of Presque Isle and would require a bridge over the Aroostook River. While only the first two phases are currently funded, DOT officials say the future of Phase III will be evaluated after Phase II is completed and its effectiveness assessed.