State and local officials gathered Friday to celebrate the completion of Exit 35 on the Maine Turnpike, marking the end of a major safety and traffic flow upgrade in Saco. The new interchange is scheduled to open to drivers on Monday, November 3.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony, held October 24, 2025, drew Maine Turnpike Authority leaders, city officials, and community members. The program included a flag-raising ceremony, remarks from state and local leaders, and music from the Saco Middle School Band directed by Nicole Wise. Representative Marshall Archer (D-Saco) led the Pledge of Allegiance before MTA Chief Administrative Officer Erin Sullivan and Executive Director Andre Briere welcomed the crowd.
Sullivan noted that this was the first Maine Turnpike exit ribbon cutting in 21 years, underscoring the significance of the project for both the agency and the region.
Saco Mayor Jodi MacPhail and Matthew Thibault of the Sargent Corporation, which was contracted to work on the upgrade, also spoke, highlighting the interchange’s role in improving local transportation and supporting growth. The event concluded with a ribbon cutting and a community block party featuring food trucks, lawn games, and live music.
A key feature of the project is a new collector-distributor roadway, the first of its kind built by the Maine Turnpike Authority. Running parallel to I-95 south of Exit 36, the roadway is designed to separate entering and exiting traffic between Exits 35 and 36, improving safety and reducing congestion. The configuration mirrors the design at Exit 2 in Kittery and includes updated signage to guide drivers.
Construction of the interchange was a multi-year effort involving dozens of subcontractors and extensive site work. Crews stabilized soft soil, installed guardrails, updated drainage systems, and laid tens of thousands of tons of pavement to build the new ramps and access roads.
The Maine Turnpike Authority says the new interchange is expected to ease pressure on local roads, support economic development in the region, and improve safety for travelers.
“This project is a great example of state and local partnership to build safer infrastructure,” MacPhail said during the ceremony.
The interchange will officially open to traffic Monday, November 3, when the first vehicles are expected to use the new ramps.
