Auburn Public Works

06/06/2026

Looking for some Saturday fun for the whole family? Visit Auburn Public Works at today's "Touch a Truck" event at Central Maine Community College! The event runs from 10AM to 2PM and there is so much cool equipment to check out. We hope to see you soon!

05/29/2026

From our friends at Casella: Loring Avenue - from Greenfield to Seventh Street, including Houston Street - is blocked today due to paving. The crew will return tomorrow (5/30) for collection.

05/18/2026

Happy National Public Works Week to our incredible team here at Auburn Public Works!

This week, we proudly honor the hardworking professionals at APW who keep Auburn running strong every single day. They rebuild, maintain, and protect the vital infrastructure that supports our entire community — our roads, parks, sidewalks, public buildings, natural resources, fields, cemeteries, and so much more. Their work directly advances the quality of life for everyone who calls Auburn home.

Auburn is home to Maine’s FIRST and ONLY nationally accredited public works agency, a distinction earned through unwavering excellence, professionalism, and commitment. The team consistently meets and exceeds the highest standards, and we couldn’t be prouder.

From keeping our streets safe in every season to beautifying the spaces we love…

From standing strong as first responders when challenges arise to inspiring the next generation…

APW is always there, quietly doing the work that keeps our community safe, resilient, and thriving.

To the entire Auburn Public Works family: THANK YOU for your purpose, your presence, and your tireless dedication. You make Auburn a better place to live — today and every day.

05/11/2026

Springtime means mowing and all across Auburn, our crews are busy getting the city's green spaces and cemeteries spruced up for the season. We know it's tempting to mow your grass nice and low, but it's a far better practice to "mow high & let the clippings lie." This sustainable lawn care practice promotes healthier turf.

WHY MOW HIGH?
* Stronger Roots: Taller grass promotes deeper, more resilient root systems.
* W**d Control: Shading the soil prevents w**d seeds from germinating.
* Drought Resistance: Longer grass keeps the soil cooler, reducing the need for watering.

WHY LET IT LIE?
* Natural Fertilizer: Clippings decompose quickly (80-90% water), providing nutrients that can reduce fertilizer needs by 25%.
* Efficiency: It saves time by eliminating the need to bag and dispose of clippings.
* Soil Health: Provides organic matter to support soil microorganisms.

Other mowing tips: Never remove more than one-third of the grass blade at once. Keep Blades Sharp - dull mower blades tear the grass, creating brown tips.

04/27/2026

LANE CLOSURE NOTICE: This Wednesday (4/29) from 9:00 AM to noon, our team will close the right‑turn lane from Court Street onto Turner Street to investigate a potentially damaged drainpipe.

Drivers will still be able to make a right turn onto Turner Street, but only from the main intersection. Please use caution, slow down, and follow all signage as you make your way through the area.

04/17/2026

Please be patient while we prepare for an awesome season at Lake Grove Park! For now, the park is closed.

UPDATE: Lake Grove Park is officially open for the season! Thanks for your patience.

We know everyone is anxious to get out and enjoy Lake Grove Park, however the park is not yet open for the season! The parking lot is under construction and the estimated open date for LGP is MAY 22.

We promise...if we can open it sooner, we definitely will.

So, PLEASE DO NOT enter the park at this time. We ask that you comply with all "Park Closed" signage and definitely do not attempt to open the gate. Thanks for your patience while we work to get things ready for a wonderful summer season at Lake Grove Park! 🌲

Auburn Public Works

04/16/2026

✨ It’s Spring Sweeping Season in Auburn! ✨ You’ve probably seen our crews out on the roads - street sweeping efforts are officially underway!

Please DO NOT rake or blow leaves and yard waste into the street — sweepers can’t pick it up, and it causes drainage issues. And when “No Parking” signs go up in your neighborhood, be sure to move your vehicle so we can get your street cleaned.

Why sweeping matters:
• Removes leftover salt and sand from winter
• Keeps roads, sidewalks & bike lanes safer
• Prevents clogged storm drains
• Reduces wear on pavement
• Helps keep our air and waterways clean

📝 Note: The schedule may shift due to weather, equipment issues, or emergencies. We’ll keep you updated!

Our sweeping schedule is posted at:https://cms2.revize.com/revize/auburnme/Documents/Departments/Public%20Works/2026%20-%20Sweeping%20Schedule%20-%20Initial.pdf

04/10/2026

Our team will be closing Foster Road today (4/10) for an emergency cross culvert replacement near 141 Foster. The closure will begin at around 8:00AM. Motorists are advised to seek alternate routes.

04/08/2026

🚧 Our crew will be closing the right (southbound) lane near 186 Turner Street (near Moon Stone Pottery) this Thursday (4/9) at 10:00AM to complete some sidewalk repairs. Please follow all signage and use caution while making your way through the area. 🚧

03/27/2026

Keeping Auburn's roads and parking areas free of ice and snow is essential, but road salt, which improves winter road conditions, contains chloride as its main ingredient. And chloride negatively impacts local lakes and rivers.

Using less salt in general can help reduce chloride levels and Auburn Public Works uses best management practices to reduce salt usage. Some of our BMPs include: optimized plow routes, careful selection of treatment product, efficient material spreading & equipment calibration, temperature sensors to measure pavement surface temperature, proper salt & sand storage, rinsing & washing equipment and vehicles, and effective snow pile placement to avoid discharge of pollutants to surface/ground water.

We invite you to check out this great story map presented by Maine DEP - "Chloride in Maine Waters."

Current status of chloride in Maine's streams, wetlands, lakes, and groundwater