News Release for December 7, 2007
For More Information:  Mike Eldridge, 207-624-8225

WORK ON THOMPSON’S BRIDGE IN SOUTHPORT STARTING MONDAY

The Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) says that beginning Monday, December 10th, Thompson’s Bridge on Route 238 in Southport will be closed to vehicle traffic for two weeks or more while repairs to the bridge are performed.

The repair work on Thompson’s Bridge will consist primarily of repairs to the substructure, including replacement of deteriorated timber pilings that support the bridge. Other incidental repairs will also be performed. MaineDOT scheduled this work to occur at a time of year when impacts to traffic are expected to be minimal. The department has contracted with Fuller Marine Services to do the work.

While the project is in progress, traffic using Route 238 will be rerouted to Route 27 and the Cross Road to bypass the closed bridge. Signage is in place to alert motorists that the bridge is closed and to outline the detour route. Motorists are urged to drive with caution, and to observe all speed limits and signage associated with the project.

Department bridge maintenance engineers anticipate that the repairs will take upwards of two weeks to complete, with weather being a contributing factor to the actual completion date. However, the MaineDOT engineers have expressed confidence that the work will be finished and the bridge reopened to traffic by December 25th.

Editors: for more information, please contact Mike Eldridge by phone at 624-8225, or by e-mail at Mike.Eldridge@maine.gov.