Motorists who utilize Route 26/100 in Falmouth should expect delays on Wednesday, April 6 as MaineDOT crews must close one lane of traffic in order to inspect the Railroad Crossing Bridge that spans the Presumpscot River and the Pan Am railroad line.
Starting at approximately 8:30 a.m., motorists will be limited to one lane of alternating traffic, as MaineDOT engineers use an underbridge crane to conduct a structural inspection of the bridge. MaineDOT plans to reopen the bridge to two-way traffic before the evening commute later that same day.
If the bridge inspection reveals that repairs are needed, MaineDOT crews will conduct repairs the next day utilizing the same lane closure schedule in order to minimize impacts to commuters.
Construction crews have begun work on the Railroad Crossing Bridge replacement, which is expected to be completed by the fall of 2011. The new bridge is being built downstream of the current bridge. Once the new bridge is opened, crews will dismantle and remove the old bridge. The total cost of the bridge replacement project is $10.5 million. CPM Constructors of Freeport is the contractor for the project.
The Railroad Crossing Bridge was built in 1932 and is 834 feet long.