AUGUSTA — The Maine Department of Transportation has begun work on a 6.1-mile section of U.S. Route 1 in Newcastle, Damariscotta and Nobleboro, repaving the roadway and shoulders, updating guardrails and making drainage improvements.

MDOT engineers say some delays will be caused by the construction but that the project could not wait until the end of the tourist season because of the short time available for construction.

Lane Construction Corp. of Meriden, Conn., won the contract with a bid of $1,018,054. The contract calls for completion by mid-October.