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Locals, State Moving Forward on Naples Bridge Repair

November 22, 2008 - NAPLES -- While repairing the existing Bay of Naples Bridge is not an official choice yet, that approach may be moving toward the top of the state's list. Now, local supporters of a swing bridge solution have applauded the repair plan, too.


Maine Department of Transportation recently released report to the town showing that a bridge upgrade, done in place, would cost about $550,000. This is a relative bargain, when compared to a full-scale renovation, projected earlier this year at $8.5 million, or even when compared to a total Causeway reconstruction, including a new fixed bridge, pegged at $7 million.


The price projected is far below the estimated cost of a new draw bridge ($17 million) or a new swing bridge ($14.5 million), that were floated last year. Of course, those budgets would have paid for new bridges -- while this repair option, if chosen, would keep the same structure in place. The MDOT said the repairs would make the structure good for another 10 years, whereas the brand-new options would be good for 80 years.


Local Representative Rich Cebra says he will talk this week with his fellow Transportation Committee members in Augusta, to discuss the repair option.


Save the Bridge President Alan Lapidus said Monday that he and his group support a bridge repair project. He contended Monday that the Bay of Naples structure is "an easily fixed bridge." He said that some repairs would "make it stronger than the original". Lapidus, an architect with 45 years experience and with close knowledge of structural engineering, added that the only structural element unaddressed by the proposed repair project would be the bridge abutments, which will need attention at some point.


Lapidus also felt the state and town should get together to discuss this option and key local components, such as amended or shortened hours of bridge openings in the warm months, on-the-water traffic lights for boats passing through the swing bridge, and possible traffic beacons and signage on Route 302, warning motorists of possible bridge closings ahead.


"The bridge committee," Lapidus said, "thinks this is the best way to go. Refurbish and strengthen the bridge, subject to boat traffic and vehicular traffic and revising the bridge hours."


Naples selectmen said Monday that they would try to meet with the state and the local grassroots group and other interested parties soon, to discuss timetables, feasibility of various options and perhaps "going forward with the complete repair package."



In what town manager Derik Goodine termed as needed at regular maintenance "unrelated to this project," the MDOT will begin working immediately, with the job to last about four weeks, on repairing some steel members on the underside of the Causeway bridge structure. This work is to assure that heavy trucks will be able to safely keep using the bridge, Goodine noted.


This article first appeared in The Bridgton News, November 20, 2008.

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


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