Several mechanical items needing corrective action have delayed the Barters Island Bridge re-opening to April. On Jan. 7, Maine Department of Transportation updated the new bridge’s opening to April 26 for vehicle traffic, channel open to boat traffic with no vertical height restrictions to May 3, and temporary bridge completely removed by June 28. Project Manager Glenn Philbrick identified damage to one of the bridge’s jacks as the cause for the project’s most recent delay. He reported the jack was sent back to the fabricator for repairs. Philbrick estimated a 60-day turnaround for the part. 

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