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Saco, Biddeford move preliminary design forward for Saco Island multimodal bridge
Summary
City staff and Thornton Tomasetti presented two approaches for a pedestrian/bicycle bridge linking Saco Island and Biddeford and described a preliminary design schedule, an estimated $5.5 million construction cost and a Phase 2 design grant that requires a 25% local match split between the two cities.
The Saco City Council heard a Phase 2 design briefing on May 19 for the Saco Island Multimodal Bridge Project, a proposed pedestrian-and-bicycle crossing that would connect the Saco Transportation Center to the planned Pearl Street Park in Biddeford.
The presentation, led by Tracy Dischardens, Saco's director of economic development, and Liz Brownell, a project manager with Thornton Tomasetti, outlined two approach alignments and two bridge typologies, a funding status for design work and a projected schedule. "The grant does have a 25% match, which is split between the cities of Saco and Biddeford," Dischardens said.
The project originated in feasibility work completed in 2021. Dischardens said the Phase 2 contract for preliminary and final design went to Thornton Tomasetti after a request-for-proposals process and that Phase 2 design funding came from a grant (identified in the presentation as a PAX and MDOT grant) totaling $731,593. Brownell said the team expects to submit a preliminary design report by the end of 2025, contract drawings and documents in mid-2027, and begin construction in 2028, all contingent on securing construction funding.
Brownell described two approach alternatives: Alternative 1 would connect to Gooch Street with a narrower 5-foot spur and has "minimum impacts" and no loss of Transportation Center parking; Alternative 2 would create a direct, more prominent 10-foot connection to Main Street but would remove about 25 parking spaces at the Transportation Center. Two bridge options were advanced for preliminary design: a curved multi-span steel-girder bridge that would use intermediate piers in the river and provide overlooks and gathering spaces, and a straight tied-arch that would clear-span the river and avoid in-water piers but carry higher upfront construction and specialized inspection costs. Brownell summarized: "Our opinion of probable construction costs, including construction engineering, was $5,500,000."
Councilors asked procedural and cost questions. Councilor Hutch sought confirmation of the local match for the Phase 2 design work; Dischardens confirmed the 25% local match for Phase 2 is split between Saco and Biddeford. Councilor Hewitt asked about annual maintenance costs; Brownell said she did not have an estimate immediately and offered to provide one. City Administrator Abahinco said maintenance would likely be handled under an interlocal agreement between the two cities.
Presenters and council members also discussed funding pathways for construction, potential right-of-way impacts and the need for a shovel-ready design to pursue federal funding. Brownell said survey work to identify private-property impacts and right-of-way needs is already underway and that Biddeford has discussed seeking congressional funding for the construction phase once design is complete.
Councilors were told the project is still in design phases and dependent on future funding decisions. Brownell and Dischardens indicated they would return with updates: Brownell will present to the Biddeford council with the same materials and Saco staff expect to bring updated design information back to Saco City Council as preliminary design advances.
