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Businesses Fear Impact of New Bridge in Naples

February 13, 2008 -
NAPLES -- Some businesses in the Lakes Region are criticizing a cost-cutting proposal by the Maine Department of Transportation to replace an aging swing bridge on the Naples causeway with a fixed bridge.

The fixed bridge on Route 302 would have only a 12-foot clearance, preventing larger boats, including the popular Songo River Queen II, from crossing between Long Lake and Brandy Pond. The waters from Brandy Pond flow through the historic Songo Locks, down the Songo River and into Sebago Lake.

Critics say the new bridge would hurt marinas, as well as stores, restaurants and other businesses that cater to boaters and customers of the Songo River Queen II.

"We're feeling really let down," said Peter Marucci, an owner of the Colonial Mast Campground on Long Lake, which has 75 boat slips. "The biggest industry in the state is tourism, that's what they tell us. And they're cutting us off at the knees."

The initial plan was to replace the current bridge with a swing bridge estimated to cost $11 million. That money was set aside, but the estimate has since swelled to $18 million, because of the costs of the electrical, mechanical and hydraulic systems of a movable bridge, as well as the cost of the operator house.

"We made some assumptions that were wrong," said Jim Wentworth, a project manager for the Department of Transportation.

In this time of tight budgets, the increased cost sent transportation officials looking for a more affordable altemative. A fixed bridge is estimated to cost $6 million and have a lifespan of 75 years, Wentworth said. Rehabilitation of the current swing bridge would cost about $8 million and extend the bridge's life about 20 years. Because they're subject to more wear and tear, movable bridges don't last as long as fixed ones.

The foundations of Naples' current bridge, which is almost 60 years old, tip toward each other. Its opening and closing mechanisms malfunction occasionally, and it bounces because it is not well balanced. The bridge, however, isn't unsafe, Wentworth said.

The change is no small matter for the owner of the Songo River Queen, a 92-foot paddlewheeler that takes customers on a tour that begins on Long Lake and passes through tbe Naples bridge to reach Brandy Pond and the upper reaches of the Songo River. Of particular interest to River Queen tourists is going through tbe Songo Lock, the only hand operated lock in North America. The Songo Lock, built in 1830, was part of a canal system that was active in tbe 19th century. That tour accounts for about 65 percent of tbe Songo River Queen II's business, said Frank Gerrish, the owner and one of the captains.

"My problem is this: We've got a Songo River Queen. If they do the (fixed) bridge, I can't get within three miles of tbe Songo River," be said. "It's going to devastate a lot of people, including us."

Don Toms, general manager of the Point Sebago Resort in Casco, said a fixed bridge would be problematic for communities besides Naples. The resort has 250 slips, and customers like traveling between tbe lakes and on the river.

"They go back and forth through there," be said. "You're talking from tbe southern end of Sebago to Harrison."

Naples Selectman Dana Watson, however, said many commuters and businesses would welcome a fixed bridge. In the summer, the bridge opens every two hours between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. and traffic backs up along Route 302.

"There's just as many people - probably more - that want a fixed bridge," Watson said "If you own a business in town, say you haul gravel, that's a big pain in tbe butt. You're paying people to sit and wait for the thing."

About 80 percent of boats would be able to pass under a fixed bridge, said Rep. Richard Cebra, R-Naples, a member of the Legislature's Transportation Committee. But be said cutting the link between Long Lake and Brandy Pond would make the area less attractive to boaters.

"It's a very unique thing," be said. "We've got a great lake in Sebago and a great lake in Long Lake, and the bridge is the linchpin." Cebra said the Department of Transportation is in a difficult position because its budget has not kept up with needs.

"Transportation bas been tbe stepchild of state govemment for so long," be said "That's why we're in the situation we're in right now."


SOURCE: PORTLAND PRESS-HERALD

DATE: 01-30-2008


Lakes: Brandy Pond, Long Lake, Sebago Lake
Regions: Sebago


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