Travelers to and from Southport have been watching the bridge work with interest through the fall and winter. Repairs began last October and are scheduled to be completed late May 2025, Paul Merrill, director of communications with Maine Department of Transportation said.

Since October, the swing span has been closed and the road has been reduced to one lane with traffic lights at either end of the bridge to control the flow of vehicles.

For all but the largest vehicles, the traffic restrictions have caused minimal disruption and, even at times of full closures – which have been in the overnight hours for short periods – emergency vehicles have been able to cross.

Merrill said the fender system around the center pile has been removed, new piling has been installed, and about one third of the wooden timbers that make up the fender system have been replaced. The grid deck on the north side of the swing span has been removed and installation of a new deck is almost complete.

“Installing the new fender system during the winter has been a challenge,” said Merrill. “Crane work is restricted during times of high winds. Working on the water during the winter always provides a challenge to the crews. We always prioritize safety. Our biggest challenge has been staffing the project. Since the beginning of the pandemic, it’s been difficult to find workers. Logistics have also been hard – just finding the space to work in a tight area.”

Merrill said still to come are new concrete and grid decks on the two approach spans, deck replacement on the south side, new wooden fenders around the first and third piers, steel repairs on the truss and bridge railing, and concrete repairs on all three piers. “Most importantly, we are going to do a complete overhaul of the electrical and mechanical systems, including replacing the control house on top of the bridge. We will also be installing new traffic gates, warning lights, and traffic lights on each approach to the bridge.”

As summer approaches, the construction schedule is on track. The swing span will reopen to marine traffic in mid-May and close again for the fall and winter of 2024-25. The road will remain single lane through the work zone until May 2025, with traffic access switching to the north side of the bridge to allow work to be carried out on the south side.