The Barters Island Bridge project which began in May 2019 is on schedule for completion Nov. 25. Maine Department of Transportation Project Resident Glenn Philbrick reports the project must complete 12 more components before the bridge reopens to traffic and the temporary one is removed. 

The remaining steps include installing the rest of the bridge’s rail, installing a rail guard, and grading and paving approaches to the bridge. Reed & Reed Construction of Woolwich needs to balance the bridge and, if necessary, shim it to match the approach spans. Temporary power, cable and telephone lines need moving to a permanent location. A power connection between the service pole and gate house is needed, followed by connecting them to piers 1, 2 and 3 and to warning, advance and navigation lights; and a longitudinal saw cutting of the deck and applying protective coating to decks and curbs. All pier mechanical components need adjustment to grade and need to be grouted in place, after the bridge is balanced and adjusted to grade. The contractor must complete open bridge joint installation for spans 1 and 4, installation of piers 1, 2, and 3 access platforms, and installation of channel fender systems at pier 3.

“Then the bridge needs to go through two weeks of functional and operation testing to ensure that all mechanical and electrical components function propertly. Bridge tenders will be trained at this time. After Nov. 25 or when the bridge is open to traffic, they will remove the remainder of the temporary bridge between December and January, and work on the remaining items,” Philbrick said in an email. 

The bridge was built in 1931 which included its being turned manually, but the new version will have an automated turn. In 2019. MDOT awarded Reed & Reed the reconstruction for a bid of $8.2 million.