Interstate 195 (Maine)
Encyclopedia
Interstate 195, also known as the Saco Industrial Spur, is a short auxiliary Interstate Highway
running 2.86 miles (4.6 km) convert in eastern York County, Maine
. The highway, located entirely in the city of Saco
, is a nominally east–west route that provides access to Downtown Saco and the resort town
of Old Orchard Beach
from Interstate 95
(the Maine Turnpike). The western terminus of I-195 is at a trumpet interchange the Maine Turnpike in central Saco. The route has numbered interchanges with Industrial Park Road, U.S. Route 1
, and Maine State Route 5
before terminating at an at-grade intersection
with SR 5 near the border between Saco and Old Orchard Beach.
The origins of Interstate 195 date back to the 1950s, when a freeway linking Downtown Saco with the Maine Turnpike was planned as one of the state's original interstate highways. The road was built in the early 1980s to avoid congestion in downtown Saco from summer traffic to the beach. The western terminus with Interstate 95
has the remnants of an abandoned clover ramp, and the eastbound I-195 bridge is wide enough for two lanes and a shoulder, but only has one lane. These hinted at a possible future extension westward, but is less probable with the recent construction of a subdivision due west of the interchange.
and I-295
. Construction, however, was delayed for nearly three decades as the state finished construction projects on I-95, I-295, and the originally unsigned portion of the Main Turnpike. In 1980, construction on I-195 began; the freeway was re-envisioned as a link to the Saco Industrial Park and the resort town of Old Orchard Beach
, and was named the Saco Industrial Spur.
In 1982, two years after construction began, the Maine Department of Transportation
(MaineDOT) opened a 1 miles (1.6 km) segment of I-195 from the interchange with Industrial Park Road at Exit 1 to the interstate's eastern terminus at SR 5
. Construction west of Industrial Park Road required the demolition of an existing partial cloverleaf interchange off the Maine Turnpike that connected to SR 112
. The second segment of the freeway, which also included the construction of a new trumpet interchange with the Main Turnpike and a toll barrier, opened in 1983. An estimated daily average
of over 20,000 motorists utilized I-195 in 2005.
(Maine Turnpike) in Saco
, a city in York County
; the freeway is accessible from I-95 via Exit 36. After the interchange with I-95, I-195 begins to head in a southeastern direction. The freeway passes over an industrial branch of Pan-Am Railways just before a toll booth
used for the closed toll collection system
of the Maine Turnpike. After the toll barrier, I-195 enters the Saco Industrial Park and interchanges with Industrial Park Road, a local road that is used to access SR 112
. The junction, signed as Exit 1, is a partial cloverleaf interchange.
After Exit 1, I-195 turns slightly to the south, passing through a densely forested region in eastern Saco. After turning again to head in a southeastern direction, I-195 interchanges with US 1
and SR 5
at a partial cloverleaf interchange signed as Exits 2A-B. Exit 2A serves US 1 south and SR 5 north, which run concurrently into Downtown Saco. Exit 2B serves US 1 north, locally known as the Blue Star Memorial Highway, which serves northern Saco and the town of Scarborough. There is no access to SR 5 south from I-195, and no access from either US 1 or SR 5 onto eastbound I-195.
After Exit 2B, I-195 continues eastward for another 0.83 miles (1.34 km) before terminating at an at-grade intersection
with SR 5 on the border between Saco and the town of Old Orchard Beach
. The mainline of I-195 east defaults onto SR 5 south, which heads in an eastern direction into Downtown Old Orchard Beach. There is no access from I-195 east to SR 5 north or from SR 5 south onto I-195 west.
, York County
.
Interstate Highway System
The Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, , is a network of limited-access roads including freeways, highways, and expressways forming part of the National Highway System of the United States of America...
running 2.86 miles (4.6 km) convert in eastern York County, Maine
York County, Maine
York County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maine. In 2010, the population was 197,131. Its county seat is Alfred.Founded in 1636, it is the oldest county in Maine and one of the oldest in the United States....
. The highway, located entirely in the city of Saco
Saco, Maine
Saco is a city in York County, Maine, United States. The population was 18,482 at the 2010 census. It is home to Ferry Beach State Park, Funtown Splashtown USA, Thornton Academy, as well as General Dynamics Armament Systems , a subsidiary of the defense contractor General Dynamics...
, is a nominally east–west route that provides access to Downtown Saco and the resort town
Resort town
A resort town, sometimes called a resort city or resort destination, is a town or area where tourism or vacationing is a primary component of the local culture and economy...
of Old Orchard Beach
Old Orchard Beach, Maine
Old Orchard Beach is a town and census-designated place in York County, Maine, United States. The population was 8,856 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, Maine Metropolitan Statistical Area....
from Interstate 95
Interstate 95 in Maine
In the U.S. state of Maine, Interstate 95 is a long highway running from the New Hampshire border near Kittery, to the Canadian border near Houlton. It is the only two-digit Interstate Highway in Maine...
(the Maine Turnpike). The western terminus of I-195 is at a trumpet interchange the Maine Turnpike in central Saco. The route has numbered interchanges with Industrial Park Road, U.S. Route 1
U.S. Route 1 in Maine
In the U.S. state of Maine, U.S. Route 1 is a major north–south state highway serving the eastern part of the state. It parallels the Atlantic Ocean from New Hampshire north through Portland, Brunswick, and Belfast to Calais, and then the St. Croix River and the rest of the Canadian border...
, and Maine State Route 5
Maine State Route 5
State Route 5 is part of Maine's system of numbered state highways, running from the an intersection with Route 9 in Old Orchard Beach, to an intersection with Route 120 in Andover. Route 5 is long....
before terminating at an at-grade intersection
At-grade intersection
An at-grade intersection is a junction at which two or more transport axes cross at the same level .-Traffic management:With areas of high or fast traffic, an at-grade intersection normally requires a traffic control device such as a stop sign, traffic light or railway signal to manage conflicting...
with SR 5 near the border between Saco and Old Orchard Beach.
The origins of Interstate 195 date back to the 1950s, when a freeway linking Downtown Saco with the Maine Turnpike was planned as one of the state's original interstate highways. The road was built in the early 1980s to avoid congestion in downtown Saco from summer traffic to the beach. The western terminus with Interstate 95
Interstate 95 in Maine
In the U.S. state of Maine, Interstate 95 is a long highway running from the New Hampshire border near Kittery, to the Canadian border near Houlton. It is the only two-digit Interstate Highway in Maine...
has the remnants of an abandoned clover ramp, and the eastbound I-195 bridge is wide enough for two lanes and a shoulder, but only has one lane. These hinted at a possible future extension westward, but is less probable with the recent construction of a subdivision due west of the interchange.
History
The origins of Interstate 195 date back to the 1950s, when a freeway in Saco was planned as one of the state's original interstate highways, along with I-95Interstate 95 in Maine
In the U.S. state of Maine, Interstate 95 is a long highway running from the New Hampshire border near Kittery, to the Canadian border near Houlton. It is the only two-digit Interstate Highway in Maine...
and I-295
Interstate 295 (Maine)
Interstate 295 is a -long connector in the U.S. state of Maine from I-95 in Scarborough to I-95 in West Gardiner.-Route description:...
. Construction, however, was delayed for nearly three decades as the state finished construction projects on I-95, I-295, and the originally unsigned portion of the Main Turnpike. In 1980, construction on I-195 began; the freeway was re-envisioned as a link to the Saco Industrial Park and the resort town of Old Orchard Beach
Old Orchard Beach, Maine
Old Orchard Beach is a town and census-designated place in York County, Maine, United States. The population was 8,856 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, Maine Metropolitan Statistical Area....
, and was named the Saco Industrial Spur.
In 1982, two years after construction began, the Maine Department of Transportation
Maine Department of Transportation
The Maine Department of Transportation, also known as MaineDOT, is the bureaucratic office of the state government charged with the regulation and maintenance of roads and other public infrastructure in the state of Maine. MaineDOT reports on the adequacy of roads, highways, and bridges in Maine...
(MaineDOT) opened a 1 miles (1.6 km) segment of I-195 from the interchange with Industrial Park Road at Exit 1 to the interstate's eastern terminus at SR 5
Maine State Route 5
State Route 5 is part of Maine's system of numbered state highways, running from the an intersection with Route 9 in Old Orchard Beach, to an intersection with Route 120 in Andover. Route 5 is long....
. Construction west of Industrial Park Road required the demolition of an existing partial cloverleaf interchange off the Maine Turnpike that connected to SR 112
Maine State Route 112
State Route 112 is part of Maine's system of numbered state highways, running from U.S. Route 1 in Saco to Route 114 in Gorham.From its southern terminus in Saco, Route 112 runs north, concurrent with Route 5 for 0.4 miles. Route 112 then continues into Buxton where it eventually intersects with...
. The second segment of the freeway, which also included the construction of a new trumpet interchange with the Main Turnpike and a toll barrier, opened in 1983. An estimated daily average
Annual average daily traffic
Average Annual daily traffic, abbreviated AADT, is a measure used primarily in transportation planning and transportation engineering. It is the total volume of vehicle traffic of a highway or road for a year divided by 365 days. AADT is a useful and simple measurement of how busy the road is...
of over 20,000 motorists utilized I-195 in 2005.
Route description
Interstate 195 begins at a trumpet interchange with I-95Interstate 95 in Maine
In the U.S. state of Maine, Interstate 95 is a long highway running from the New Hampshire border near Kittery, to the Canadian border near Houlton. It is the only two-digit Interstate Highway in Maine...
(Maine Turnpike) in Saco
Saco, Maine
Saco is a city in York County, Maine, United States. The population was 18,482 at the 2010 census. It is home to Ferry Beach State Park, Funtown Splashtown USA, Thornton Academy, as well as General Dynamics Armament Systems , a subsidiary of the defense contractor General Dynamics...
, a city in York County
York County, Maine
York County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maine. In 2010, the population was 197,131. Its county seat is Alfred.Founded in 1636, it is the oldest county in Maine and one of the oldest in the United States....
; the freeway is accessible from I-95 via Exit 36. After the interchange with I-95, I-195 begins to head in a southeastern direction. The freeway passes over an industrial branch of Pan-Am Railways just before a toll booth
Toll house
A tollhouse or toll house is a building with accommodation for a toll collector, beside a tollgate on a toll road or canal. Many tollhouses were built by turnpike trusts in England, Wales and Scotland during the 18th and early 19th centuries...
used for the closed toll collection system
Ticket system
A ticket system toll road A ticket system toll road A ticket system toll road (also known as closed toll collection system, as opposed to a flat-rate toll road, is utilized by some state toll road or highway agencies that allows a motorist to pay a toll rate based on the number of miles traveled...
of the Maine Turnpike. After the toll barrier, I-195 enters the Saco Industrial Park and interchanges with Industrial Park Road, a local road that is used to access SR 112
Maine State Route 112
State Route 112 is part of Maine's system of numbered state highways, running from U.S. Route 1 in Saco to Route 114 in Gorham.From its southern terminus in Saco, Route 112 runs north, concurrent with Route 5 for 0.4 miles. Route 112 then continues into Buxton where it eventually intersects with...
. The junction, signed as Exit 1, is a partial cloverleaf interchange.
After Exit 1, I-195 turns slightly to the south, passing through a densely forested region in eastern Saco. After turning again to head in a southeastern direction, I-195 interchanges with US 1
U.S. Route 1 in Maine
In the U.S. state of Maine, U.S. Route 1 is a major north–south state highway serving the eastern part of the state. It parallels the Atlantic Ocean from New Hampshire north through Portland, Brunswick, and Belfast to Calais, and then the St. Croix River and the rest of the Canadian border...
and SR 5
Maine State Route 5
State Route 5 is part of Maine's system of numbered state highways, running from the an intersection with Route 9 in Old Orchard Beach, to an intersection with Route 120 in Andover. Route 5 is long....
at a partial cloverleaf interchange signed as Exits 2A-B. Exit 2A serves US 1 south and SR 5 north, which run concurrently into Downtown Saco. Exit 2B serves US 1 north, locally known as the Blue Star Memorial Highway, which serves northern Saco and the town of Scarborough. There is no access to SR 5 south from I-195, and no access from either US 1 or SR 5 onto eastbound I-195.
After Exit 2B, I-195 continues eastward for another 0.83 miles (1.34 km) before terminating at an at-grade intersection
At-grade intersection
An at-grade intersection is a junction at which two or more transport axes cross at the same level .-Traffic management:With areas of high or fast traffic, an at-grade intersection normally requires a traffic control device such as a stop sign, traffic light or railway signal to manage conflicting...
with SR 5 on the border between Saco and the town of Old Orchard Beach
Old Orchard Beach, Maine
Old Orchard Beach is a town and census-designated place in York County, Maine, United States. The population was 8,856 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, Maine Metropolitan Statistical Area....
. The mainline of I-195 east defaults onto SR 5 south, which heads in an eastern direction into Downtown Old Orchard Beach. There is no access from I-195 east to SR 5 north or from SR 5 south onto I-195 west.
Exit list
The entire route is in SacoSaco, Maine
Saco is a city in York County, Maine, United States. The population was 18,482 at the 2010 census. It is home to Ferry Beach State Park, Funtown Splashtown USA, Thornton Academy, as well as General Dynamics Armament Systems , a subsidiary of the defense contractor General Dynamics...
, York County
York County, Maine
York County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maine. In 2010, the population was 197,131. Its county seat is Alfred.Founded in 1636, it is the oldest county in Maine and one of the oldest in the United States....
.
| Mile | # Exit number An exit number is a number assigned to a road junction, usually an exit from a freeway. It is usually marked on the same sign as the destinations of the exit, as well as a sign in the gore.... |
Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.00 | Westbound exit and eastbound entrance | ||
| 0.65 | |||
| 0.83 | Toll barrier | ||
| 0.97 | 1 | ||
| 1.73 | 2A | – Downtown Saco Saco, Maine Saco is a city in York County, Maine, United States. The population was 18,482 at the 2010 census. It is home to Ferry Beach State Park, Funtown Splashtown USA, Thornton Academy, as well as General Dynamics Armament Systems , a subsidiary of the defense contractor General Dynamics... |
No eastbound entrance |
| 2.03 | 2B | No eastbound entrance | |
| 2.86 | At-grade intersection At-grade intersection An at-grade intersection is a junction at which two or more transport axes cross at the same level .-Traffic management:With areas of high or fast traffic, an at-grade intersection normally requires a traffic control device such as a stop sign, traffic light or railway signal to manage conflicting... ; eastbound exit and westbound entrance |
||