SABATTUS – A Sabattus firetruck will officially open Exit 86 on the Maine turnpike.

Town, state and turnpike officials will be on hand at 11:30 a.m. for the opening of the Sabattus interchange. It opens to regular traffic at 2 p.m.

Today’s festivities will include music by the Oak Hill High School Chorus at the town hall.

Officials will gather there at 11 a.m. for a bus trip to the interchange. After a short ceremony and ribbon cutting the firetruck will exit the turnpike officially opening the interchange. Dignitaries will be bused back to town hall for lunch and a celebration.

The interchange could serve about 4,200 vehicles daily that travel on routes 126, 9, 196 and 202.

Work on the interchange began in October 2002. Crews stopped work in December 2003 to allow the sculpted interchange to settle into the clay soil. Work began again in May, with final grading, paving work and installation of lights and guardrails.

It’s cost is estimated at $6.4 million.