HAMPDEN - Today, the Maine Department of Transportation closed the Twin Bridge in Hampden as part of the department's ongoing project to replace the 71-year-old structure. The Twin Bridge carries Route 69 over the West Branch of Souadabscook Stream. Traffic is being diverted to a temporary detour bridge. Drivers should expect an alternating pattern of single-lane traffic controlled by temporary signals on the detour route. Oversized loads are not permitted on the temporary bridge.
Crews will now begin removing the existing structure, which spans 25 feet. The new bridge will span more than 53 feet. This will provide more capacity for water flow as well as better habitat connectivity. The replacement bridge will be the first of its kind in Maine: it will use composite tub girders in a "Double T" configuration.
The contractor on this project is CPM Constructors of Freeport. The contract amount is $1,846,235.
MaineDOT expects the new bridge will be finished in November.