AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) The Maine Department of Transportation has canceled nearly $60 million worth of road and bridge projects that it planned to pursue this year to avoid busting its budget.

The MDOT said high contractor prices are forcing it to cancel 11 projects and to reject a bid for paving and safety improvements on I-295 through Portland. The 11 projects include replacement of interstate highway overpasses in Bangor and Brewer.

Most of the work will be pushed into next year’s plan, but there’s no guarantee.

Last week, the Maine DOT rejected bids for three plans after receiving bids from contractors that were at least 40 percent more than projected costs.

Transportation Commissioner Bruce Van Note said the costs are fare exceeding a 10 percent cushion that the state has built into its projections.