Unsigned Interstate 495 Maine

Overview

Interstate 495 overlays the Falmouth Spur, the Maine Turnpike connector between the mainline (I-95) and I-295. The toll road formerly carried I-95 away from the Maine Turnpike to its free route north to Brunswick and Gardiner. There are no exits between the two Interstates, but the east end of the Falmouth Spur does provide access to U.S. 1 in the town of Falmouth.

Mileage by State

Maine

4.39 mi

Data Sources

MaineDOT Map Viewer. https://www1.maine.gov/mdot/mapviewer/

History

The Falmouth Spur opened as part of the Maine Turnpike in 1955. It was incorporated as part of the Interstate 95 alignment around Portland in 1956.³ The Maine Turnpike main line north from the west end of the spur to Auburn, Lewiston and West Gardiner was unnumbered.

With Congress passing a law in 1987 that raised the national speed limit from 55 to 65 miles per hour, the state of Maine sought to include all of the Maine Turnpike into the Interstate system. Since the increased speed limit was permitted only on rural Interstate highways, the turnpike outside of I-95 was not applicable.

The addition of the Turnpike to the Interstate System as I-495 was approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) subject to concurrence of the American Association State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) on August 11, 1987. An application was forwarded to AASHTO on September 1 and approved on December 4, 1987. It established Interstate 495 along 50.47 miles of the Maine Turnpike from Portland to West Gardiner.

Changes for the Maine Interstate system were submitted by Maine to AASHTO, and approved on October 11, 2002. They outlined relocating Interstate 95 westward from both the Falmouth Spur and the freeway north from to Brunswick and West Gardiner wholly onto the Maine Turnpike, over what was previously Interstate 495. Interstate 295 was extended northward over former I-95 from Yarmouth to Gardiner. Legislature signed by the Governor on March 27, 2002 outlined these changes and also the redesignation of the Falmouth Spur of the Maine Turnpike as an unnumbered ramp.

Subsequent correspondence between the Maine Department of Transportation, the FHWA and AASHTO on October 3, 2002 redesignated the Falmouth Spur as Interstate 495. The previous application submitted to AASHTO regarding the renumbering of I-95 and I-295 was amended as follows:

Re-designate the current portion of Interstate Route 95 between West Falmouth and Falmouth (the Falmouth Spur) as Interstate 495. (This will connect the proposed new routing of Interstate Route 95 at West Falmouth with the proposed new routing of Interstate Route 295 at Falmouth).

Interstate 495 was not signed because Maine considered the Falmouth Spur to be just a "ramp". Sign changes were implemented on January 5, 2004 and completed on January 10th.¹

The relocation of Interstate 495 also coincided with a statewide renumbering of all Maine Interstate exits from a sequential based system to a mileage based system. Completed by May 15, 2004, Maine was the first New England state to adopt the national standard.²

East End  ‐ Falmouth, ME

East at

The east end of unsigned I-495 has a loop ramp for I-295 north to Freeport, Brunswick and Bath and a trumpet interchange with adjacent U.S. 1 (Blue Star Memorial Highway) north to Yarmouth and south to Portland. There is no direct access to I-295 south. Instead motorists are directed onto U.S. 1 south and Bucknam Road west to make the connection. Photo by Sheila Schumacher (05/20/04).

North at

Bucknam Road west links U.S. 1 (Blue Star Memorial Highway) with parallel Interstate 295, just south of the partial interchange with the Falmouth Spur. Bucknam Road and U.S. 1 provide the missing movements between the two Interstates. Photo by Sheila Schumacher (05/20/04).

South at

Trailblazers for Interstate 95 and the Maine Turnpike take the place of a shield for I-495 west at the entrance ramp from U.S. 1 south. Photo by Sheila Schumacher (05/20/04).

North at

With no direct access between I-295 north and the Falmouth Spur west, a Breezewood style connection requires motorists to use Bucknam Road and U.S. 1 (Blue Star Memorial Highway) north to access unsigned Interstate 495. 06/27/05

South at

Heading south into the town of Falmouth, Interstate 295 runs between Chenery Brook and U.S. 1 (Blue Star Memorial Highway) to forthcoming Exit 11 with the Falmouth Spur. 06/27/05

West End  ‐ Portland, ME

West at

A toll plaza collects fares for both directions of traffic along the Falmouth Spur midway between Interstate 295 and the Presumpscot River. Heading west from the toll collection point, a pair of signs direct motorists into the appropriate lane for Interstate 95 north to Augusta and south to Portland and Kittery. 06/27/05

South at

Signs for the Falmouth Spur from Interstate 95 simply reference the connections with I-295 and U.S. 1. When Interstate 495 ended here from the north, it simply transitioned to I-95 south. Photo by Sheila Schumacher (05/20/04).

North at

Exit 52 departs from Interstate 95 (Maine Turnpike) north for the Falmouth Spur (unsigned I-495). Interstate 495 arcs east across the Presumpscot into the town of Falmouth, connecting the turnpike with I-295 north to Freeport and U.S. 1 north to Yarmouth. Photo by Sheila Schumacher (05/20/04).

Historic South End

Past Views Gallery (Tap to Expand / Collapse Section)

at

Approaching the former split of Interstate 95 north from the Maine Turnpike main line (I-495) onto the Falmouth Spur east. Photo by Gary S. Peterson (02/14/02).

References

1. Maine Department of Transportation. Interstate I-95 Redesignation & Re-numbering Information. Retrieved from http://www.state.me.us/mdot/maines-transportation-systems/I-95-redesignation.php
2. Highway switcheroo slated for I-95, I-495 and I-295. (2003, December 24). The Times Record News.
3. Maine Department of Transportation. Maine's Interstate System: An Investment in Safety, Mobility, and Prosperity. Retrieved from http://www.state.me.us/mdot/interstate/index.php