News Release for May 1, 2008
For More Information:
Mark Latti, MaineDOT Office of Communications, 624-3030

Bridge damaged, route 11 section closed; MaineDOT crews repair flood damage

Editor’s note: attached picture is of the damaged Tucker Bridge on Route 11 in Moro Plantation. The photo was taken by MaineDOT at 6:15 this morning.
(Picture of Bridge Damage)

Bridge and road damage from heavy flooding has forced the closure of a 12-mile stretch Route 11 from Patten to Knowles Corner in Moro Plantation. Flooding from the West Branch of the Mattawamkeag River damaged the bridge supports of Tucker Bridge, dropping the bridge seven inches. Flooding has also washed out entire portions of the northbound lane of Route 11 in that section.

MaineDOT crews will construct a temporary bridge until permanent repairs can be made to the bridge. MaineDOT crews are currently replacing culverts and repairing washouts on that section of Route 11 and will start construction of the bridge soon. If repairs go as planned, that section of Route 11 will reopen next weekend.

Currently, there are four bridges in northern Maine that are closed due to the flood. They are the International Bridge in Fort Kent, Fish Bridge in Fort Kent, International Bridge in Van Buren and Tucker Bridge in Moro Plantation. These bridges will remain closed until they are inspected by MaineDOT engineers. Engineers need to wait for the waters to recede before they can perform a proper inspection.

The International Bridge that spans the St. John River between Fort Kent and Clair, New Brunswick is closed due to historic flooding on the St. John River. Inspection teams will need to examine the bridge structure and supports, as well as the surface and understory of the bridge. It is unknown at this time if dive crews will need to inspect the bridge supports in the river. If so, the bridge will remain closed until the waters of the St. John are safe to dive.

In the interim, MaineDOT crews worked to repair blown out culverts and create a detour to allow motorists in Fort Kent to enter Canada through Madawaska. Sections of Route 1 in Frenchville are still flooded and impassable, so the detour follows interior roads through the towns of Fort Kent, New Canada, Cross Lake, St. Agatha and into Madawaska.

MaineDOT Region 5 Manager Bob Watson is overseeing flood repairs in Aroostook county. “Flood waters are receding in the north, but rising in the southern part of the County. Roads that were open yesterday are closed today. We are closely monitoring the water levels, and repairing roads where possible,” said Watson.

The Van Buren International Bridge has also been closed. Currently the only international crossing bridge that remains open in Northern Maine is located in Madawaska.

MaineDOT crews are also busy repairing roads in the Midcoast area of the state. Five different MaineDOT crews have been repairing washouts in Waldoboro, Edgecomb, Knox and Searsport. Road and culvert damage occurred nearly immediately due to the large amount of rainfall over a short period of time. Culverts, shoulders and small streams quickly became overloaded, causing the washouts in this area. One section of Maine Street in Waldoboro is still closed due to a box culvert washout.

# # #