Old Town, Maine — The Maine Office of Transportation could use impressive design supplies created to last a lot more than 100 several years when it replaces a deteriorating bridge in Aged Town future 12 months.
The Maine DOT strategies to install a momentary, two-way bridge ahead of replacing the Llewellyn G. Estes Memorial Bridge in 2024, department spokesperson Paul Merrill explained. The style staff is exploring the use of GBeams from Brewer-primarily based manufacturer Highly developed Infrastructure Systems, which are fiber-reinforced polymer bridge beams, he claimed.
The bridge is far more than 70 a long time old and deemed structurally deficient. When it closed for aspect of a day earlier this month since a utility pole leaning more than the bridge prompted basic safety worries, area people wondered if the substitution challenge date would shift up.
Though the substitute challenge is even now slated for 2024, men and women can be expecting that set up of the temporary bridge will commence in July and increase into late slide. If Advanced Infrastructure Technologies’ composite beams are utilised, it would stick to initiatives like alternative of the Grist Mill Bridge in Hampden, which was the initial in the nation to use the technology.
The bridge, which is made up of two buildings that have Stillwater Avenue throughout the Stillwater River, was slated for replacement as part of a multi-year, $20 million challenge.
The office turned down all bids last April after they arrived in approximately double the budgeted total, delaying the project about two yrs. It resolved to individual the bridge substitution from other street function.
The alternative bridge style is in development, so a value estimate was not available Friday.
GBeams are created to last many years longer than standard steel and concrete buildings, are resistant to corrosion and call for tiny servicing, in accordance to the corporation, which formulated the engineering with University of Maine researchers.
The content is also more environmentally friendly and lighter, earning it less costly to transport as perfectly as much easier to operate with.
Considering the fact that design of the Hampden bridge wrapped up in late 2020, AIT has completed sets of GBeams for projects in Maine, Florida and Rhode Island, and is functioning on other individuals on the West Coastline, in accordance to its web-site.
“Drivers and pedestrians will be equipped to use the momentary bridge all through building,” Merrill stated. “The short-term bridge will be taken off just after the proposed bridge is opened to visitors.”
The previously marketed bridge construction package deal also involved a short-term bridge, he reported.
Pieces of Aged Town’s bridge have been deteriorating for many years, but Maine transportation officers stated past summer it was even now safe and sound for most to travel around despite its inadequate problem.
A 30-ton bodyweight restriction was additional to the bridge’s northernmost span last July.
Merrill claimed at the time that the bodyweight restrict would not influence fireplace engines, college buses, oil shipping vehicles and most regional shipping and delivery vans. But logging vehicles carrying wood harvested in the state have to get a detour, which makes the route to industry extended and much more expensive.
Town Manager Bill Mayo, metropolis councilors and other people advocated for a temporary bridge soon immediately after the fat restriction was imposed due to the fact it is a big route for forest solutions in Maine.
Woolwich-based mostly Reed & Reed is working as the project’s development manager and supplying input during the structure procedure. The firm will have a possibility to bid on the task, primarily based on the concluded design and style, to turn into the general contractor, Merrill claimed.
Reporter Sawyer Loftus contributed to this tale.
