Bath viaduct to close Oct. 11
Traffic trying to get into the downtown area of Bath from Route One northbound will detour under the bridge approach onto Commercial Street. GINA HAMILTON/Wiscasset Newspaper
Rust and decay on the piers and subsurface of the roadway on the Bath viaduct are forcing the replacement of the structure. GINA HAMILTON/Wiscasset Newspaper
Traffic trying to get into the downtown area of Bath from Route One northbound will detour under the bridge approach onto Commercial Street. GINA HAMILTON/Wiscasset Newspaper
Rust and decay on the piers and subsurface of the roadway on the Bath viaduct are forcing the replacement of the structure. GINA HAMILTON/Wiscasset Newspaper
Bath’s Leeman Highway (Route One) superstructure known as the viaduct will close on Tuesday, Oct. 11. The structure will be completely replaced because of significant problems in the subsurface of the roadway, including rust on the supporting piers, according to the Maine Department of Transportation.
Traffic will be detoured onto lower Leeman Highway for much of the construction project, but other, temporary detours through the downtown area and Commercial Street may be necessary at times. Motorists will not be permitted to make a left turn from Leeman Highway onto Washington Street in either direction. Middle and Franklin streets under the viaduct will also be blocked. Drivers should expect delays, especially during the overnight hours.
All downtown businesses will remain open through the construction period, which is slated to end by Memorial Day 2017. Minor delays may occur beyond that, for final paving, striping, and traffic signal installation, but the viaduct should be open during the final phase of construction.
In 2006, MDOT replaced the surface of the viaduct, extending its useful life for 10 years. The planning for the viaduct replacement was already under way at that time. Once completed, the highway should have a 100-year lifespan.
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