Bridge # 2848, or “Thompson’s Bridge” as it’s known on Southport, was the subject of a public hearing held at the island’s town hall on Tuesday, Aug. 30.

The meeting was held to discuss replacement of the bridge and to offer information to members of the Maine Department of Transportation and Stantec, which will provide services for the project.

Stantec’s Tim Merritt, project manager, and Sarah Williams, bridge engineer, joined DOT’s Leanne Timberlake in soliciting comments and questions from the approximately 30 attendees, who included full and seasonal residents and two town officials.

The 192-foot bridge, which crosses Decker’s Cove, was constructed in 1933. The bridge’s deck was replaced in 1970 and a pier cap was replaced in 1990. According to Merritt, the bridge is considered “structurally deficient.”

Merritt said a 2013 inspection showed that the bridge’s superstructure is “poor” and rotten timbers, section losses on some piles and possible marine borers have caused concern. In addition, the old timber piles don’t have the load-carrying capacity of modern concrete or steel.

Options for detours were discussed. Among the alternatives are detouring traffic down the length of the island to Newagen on Route 27 (8.5 miles) and using Cross Road (3.6 miles). Use of Plummer Road was considered because it would have been the shortest route, but it was rejected because it is not a state road and not usable as a formal detour.

Early in the discussion period that followed a slide presentation, nearby property owners raised concern about the issue of eminent domain because the road is narrow. The bridge will be replaced in “The same vertical and horizontal alignment, with the same grade and it will look the same,” Merritt answered.

Anne Maher, who owns a boat shop that abuts the bridge, asked the planners to make sure the construction occurs during the winter months. “Don’t even think about the summer,” she advised. She suggested the months between October and May. Merritt said if a complete road closure was allowed, it would “cut the construction time in half.”

Residents also had concerns about the ability to navigate boats under the bridge. Boats less than 20 feet in length will still be able to move under the bridge. Selectman and Fire Chief Gerry Gamage said there is currently clearance of about four feet under the bridge at high water.

During part of Merritt’s presentation, it was mentioned that one of the alternatives looked at by the DOT was to have no bridge over Decker’s Cove. Donald Duncan drew applause from the crowd when he emphatically stated, “The idea of no bridge is not a good idea.” There was discussion about the possibility of adding a sidewalk on the new bridge, but the width of the bridge would make a sidewalk difficult.

Overall, Southport residents informed the DOT and Stantec representatives that when it came to replacing Bridge #2848, they wanted it done as close to what it is now and as quickly as possible.

According to Leanne Timberlake, the preliminary design will be finalized at the end of this year and there will be another public meeting early next year to present the recommendations and solicit feedback and comments. Following that, the project will be advertised for bids in the summer of 2018 and construction should begin that fall.