Pratts Island bridge almost done
Larry Colcord shows off during the construction of the Pratt’s Island bridge in October. SUZI THAYER/Boothbay Register
Skip Rideout, left, the engineer in charge of the construction of the Pratts Island bridge, is shown here at the site with Al Morton, Robbie Campbell and Larry Colcord. Courtesy of Larry Colcord
Larry Colcord shows off during the construction of the Pratt’s Island bridge in October. SUZI THAYER/Boothbay Register
Skip Rideout, left, the engineer in charge of the construction of the Pratts Island bridge, is shown here at the site with Al Morton, Robbie Campbell and Larry Colcord. Courtesy of Larry Colcord
The new Pratts Island Bridge is almost complete.
Work on the wooden bridge began in late summer 2013, and is in its final phase.
Wire fencing is being installed outside the new railings, and granite slabs will be laid alongside the approach to the bridge.
Engineer Skip Rideout, who has overseen the project from the start, said that once these things are completed the new bridge will be done. Local shipyard worker Larry Colcord has been assisting Rideout.
The bridge, which connects Pratts Island to Southport, has been in need of some repair for several years. With Southport voters initially planning to foot the bill of around $200,000 for a cement bridge, resident Paul Coulombe offered to cover all expenses with the agreement that the bridge would remain wood.
Nine people live on Pratts Island year-round, and a couple of them are in the Merchant Marine, so they come and go. Sarah Sherman McGrail is one of them. “Skip Rideout and his crew did an amazing job and accommodated us in every way,” she said. “When my son was home sick, they would walk me across the planks, holding my hand, when I had to get medicine for him.”
Most residents seem to be in agreement that any inconvenience during the construction was minimal.
“I have nothing but praise for Skip and his crew,” McGrail said. “They did a wonderful job.”
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