Maine DOT says new bridge deck can be built with alternating single-lane traffic; detour unnecessary
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Summary
City staff relayed a Maine DOT analysis finding the new bridge deck can be constructed in stages while maintaining one 12-foot alternating traffic lane; DOT indicated short 10–15 minute closures may still be required and will coordinate with EMS and town officials.
City staff reported that Maine Department of Transportation engineers completed a finite-element structural analysis and determined the new bridge deck can be built in stages while maintaining one 12-foot-wide lane of alternating traffic, eliminating the need for a detour to Fort Fairfield.
Reading a communication from Maine DOT, the staff member relayed: "Our design consultant has completed a finite element structural analysis of the bridge and determined that it will be possible to construct the new bridge deck in stages while maintaining 1 12 foot wide lane of alternating traffic on the bridge," and that "the detour around using the roads down to Fort Fairfield across the river will not, I repeat, not be necessary." The DOT memo added that short closures of about 10 to 15 minutes may be needed at certain points during construction.
DOT noted it will examine ways to mitigate traffic queues, including restriping lanes on Route 1 and adjusting traffic signal timing at nearby intersections, and will continue coordinating with emergency medical services and town officials as final design work continues, the staff member said.
The staff report signed in the memorandum was attributed to Mark Powell, identified in the memo as a Maine DOT Bridge Program project manager. The council did not take action on the bridge item at the meeting; the memo was provided as a staff report to inform the council and the public of DOT's analysis and planned coordination steps.
