Four of the town’s oldest residents are first to cross the bridge

Wed, 07/15/2020 - 4:00pm

KEVIN BURNHAM

The first cars to cross the new Thompson Bridge on Southport Island begin their short journey as family and friends applaud. Four longtime residents, Jean Thompson, Evelyn Sherman, Ramona Gaudette and Dick Thompson, were chosen for the honor. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Before starting their engines to cross the new Thompson Bridge are, from left, Evelyn Sherman, Jean Thompson, Ramona Gaudette and Dick Thompson. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

The celebrated Southport residents stand with some of the workers who constructed the new Thompson Bridge. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Southport Selectman and Fire Chief Gerry Gamage sets up the stanchion for the ceremony. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Evelyn Sherman and Jean Thompson arrive for the ceremony. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Family members and friends gather for a photo with the celebrated Southport residents. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Gracie Singer, who lives near the bridge, has been waiting months to walk across it. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Getting ready to untie the rope. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Some of the Maine Department of Transportation workers were on hand for the ceremony. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

This scooter was the first vehicle to cross from the north side of the bridge. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Southport columnist Leigh Sherrill and husband Kit were on hand for the ceremony. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Before starting their engines to cross the new Thompson Bridge are, from left, Evelyn Sherman, Jean Thompson, Ramona Gaudette and Dick Thompson. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

The celebrated Southport residents stand with some of the workers who constructed the new Thompson Bridge. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Southport Selectman and Fire Chief Gerry Gamage sets up the stanchion for the ceremony. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Evelyn Sherman and Jean Thompson arrive for the ceremony. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Family members and friends gather for a photo with the celebrated Southport residents. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Gracie Singer, who lives near the bridge, has been waiting months to walk across it. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Getting ready to untie the rope. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Some of the Maine Department of Transportation workers were on hand for the ceremony. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

This scooter was the first vehicle to cross from the north side of the bridge. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Southport columnist Leigh Sherrill and husband Kit were on hand for the ceremony. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

The nearly completed Thompson Bridge across Decker Cove on Southport Island is officially open.

On Wednesday, July 15, four of the town’s oldest residents, Jean Thompson, Evelyn Sherman, Ramona Gaudette and Dick Thompson, were given the privilege to be the first people to drive across the bridge. About 40 family members and residents showed up for the ceremony.

Selectman and Fire Chief Gerry Gamage provided the rope and stanchion, to which he tied six red, white and blue balloons. Shortly after 3 p.m., the first four chosen to cross the bridge loosened the knot, as attendees cheered and applauded. Gaudette was in the lead car driven by her granddaughter, Madison Gaudette, followed by Jean Thompson and Sherman in Sherman’s van, and Dick Thompson exited the bridge last.

The old bridge was closed to traffic in September 2019 and its dismantling and construction of the new bridge began shortly thereafter, with an opening date set for May. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, parts for the bridge were delayed as businesses shut down. Work resumed this spring and the opening ceremony was scheduled. The ceremony was delayed a day due to the weather.

According to an earlier report on the bridge construction, the original bridge was built in 1907 for $1,500.29. The new bridge has a guaranteed lifespan of 75 years and costs $3.47 million, 80% of it from federal funding, the rest from state funding.