Banknorth Group, Inc., and The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) today kicked off Banknorth's new role as sponsor of the Tobin Bridge's FASTLANE program. Unveiling the new FASTLANE signs were Banknorth President, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer William J. Ryan, Banknorth spokesman and Bruins legend Ray Bourque and Massport CEO Craig P. Coy. Banknorth's three-year sponsorship will help fund planned improvement projects on the bridge, including roadway paving and easier-to-read signs.

This partnership will also help support the Tobin Bridge Gateway Project, which includes enhancements such as landscaped buffers, traffic controls and pedestrian safety improvements to the bridge's neighboring areas and exit ramps. The corporate sponsorship agreement is the result of Massport's efforts to seek additional business and marketing opportunities on the Tobin Bridge and generate non-toll revenue for investment in the structure.

As New England's hometown bank, Banknorth is pleased to sponsor the Tobin Bridge and its FASTLANE program, said Ryan. These new signs are just the beginning of our partnership with Massport, which will help provide a smoother, safer and more pleasant experience for close to 24 million drivers who cross the bridge each year.

Massport is pleased to be aligned with Banknorth, a leading New England financial services company, said Coy. By supporting Massport's efforts to generate non-toll revenue, Banknorth has invested in this landmark structure, the traveling public and the bridge's host communities.

In October 2003, Massport selected Travelers Marketing, a Wellesley-based firm, to design, develop and manage the Tobin Bridge marketing program. Banknorth is the lead client signed by Travelers Marketing under this initiative.

About Banknorth

Banknorth Group, Inc. (NYSE:BNK), based in Portland, Maine, has $26.5 billion in assets and is the third-largest retail and commercial banking company headquartered in New England. The company was named the Best Managed Bank in America by Forbes Magazine in 2004. Through its banking subsidiary, Banknorth, N.A., the company operates Banknorth Massachusetts, Banknorth Vermont, Banknorth Connecticut, Bank of New Hampshire, Peoples Heritage Bank in Maine and Evergreen Bank serving upstate New York. Combined, these Banknorth banking divisions represent over 350 branches and more than 500 Banknorth ATMs across New England and upstate New York. Banknorth also operates subsidiaries and divisions in insurance, investments, merchant services, mortgage banking, leasing and other financial services. More information on Banknorth is available at Banknorth.com.

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