The state of Maine is stepping up enforcement against speeding in construction zones following the deaths of two Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) workers who were struck and killed by a speeding vehicle while working on a bridge in Waterville in January.
In response, Maine State Police have launched targeted enforcement at active construction zones across the state, aiming to improve compliance and raise awareness of work zone safety, according to News Center Maine.
Since the crash, state police have conducted weekly targeted enforcement operations in South Portland, Augusta, Bangor and Clinton — as well as on multiple occasions in Yarmouth due to its high volume of traffic.
The results have been startling as the visits have led to stopping more than 230 violators and issuing over 200 tickets across 14 total hours of details. Each two-hour details has resulted in dozens of stops, according to News Center Maine.
The program has underscored the urgency of educating drivers on save driving practices in work zones as there is a persistent issue of motorists ignoring visible warnings such as reflective signs and cones, and speed limit monitors, Corporal Robert Burke told News Center Maine.
Due to the high number of violations, state police have increasingly coordinated with local law enforcement agencies to expand enforcement capacity and reinforce safety messaging in construction areas.
A targeted enforcement operation on Interstate 295 in South Portland in late February — conducted by state troopers and South Portland police — resulted in 39 stops, including 13 warnings and 32 citations, according to WMTW 8 News. The effort was launched in response to ongoing complaints about speeding and concerns over worker safety.
MaineDOT reports an average of 500 crashes in work zones statewide each year, resulting in several fatalities and an average of 200 injuries annually.
I-295 In Need of Upgrades
Burke raised concerns about I-295, where traffic volume has increased faster than infrastructure improvements, according to News Center Maine. He said the highway’s curves, hills and limited sightlines prove to be challenging as traffic increases.
According to MaineDOT data reported by News Center Maine, I-295 recorded 54 crashes in Portland in 2025 and 40 crashes in South Portland. A single location in Yarmouth accounted for 41 crashes, marking it as a high-crash corridor.
Sources: News Center Maine, WMTW 8 News
