SOUTH PORTLAND -The Maine Department of Transportation is warning locals that beginning today, Thursday, Feb. 11, the Casco Bay Bridge, linking Portland and South Portland over the Fore River, will have additional openings each day for the testing of the bridge and the training of new employees.

The frequency of the additional openings will vary throughout the day and evening hours now through March 5. Between openings, time will be allowed for impacted traffic to clear before the next opening. Crews will not raise the bridge between the hours of 7 and 9 a.m. or from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. While there will be additional openings on the weekends, those times will vary.

Marine traffic will not be affected during this testing and training period and, except for when marine vessels travel under the bridge, each additional opening will not exceed seven minutes.