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Engineer warns Glidden Bridge is in poor condition; Select Board readies specs for repair
Summary
Town engineer said the Glidden Bridge is rated 3 (poor) and recommended internal repairs to the salt shed; he will prepare specifications to put the bridge and salt-shed work out to bid and suggested exploring a DOT cost-share and a contractor who might avoid closing the bridge.
An engineer told the Jefferson Select Board on Nov. 3 that the town’s Glidden Bridge is in poor condition and that the salt shed will need internal repairs before winter storage and handling resume at full capacity.
Engineer Eric Calderwood said the Glidden Bridge “is currently rated 3, which is poor condition,” and recommended preparing bid specifications to begin repair work. He said the town could replace the bridge culvert in-kind (increasing diameter but not length) and suggested discussing a potential 50/50 cost share with the Maine Department of Transportation, while cautioning that cost-share timetables could delay the project and possibly increase the town’s eventual share.
Calderwood also recommended specific repairs to the salt shed: add steel reinforcement to the concrete, remove the existing 2x4 wood members used inside the shed, and repour concrete; he suggested scheduling that work for summer when the shed is less full of sand and salt.
The engineer said he will prepare detailed specifications so the town can solicit bids. He noted a contractor referred to as Vortex has done work for the DOT and might be able to carry out repairs without a full bridge closure, which could reduce disruption to the traveling public.
The board’s road commissioner and members discussed related local maintenance needs, including culvert clearing after recent beaver activity on several roads. The board did not authorize a contract at the meeting; Calderwood’s next step is to provide the specs and cost estimates for the Select Board to consider.
The Select Board took no formal vote on a contract at the meeting; the item remains in the planning stage pending the engineer’s specs and any further discussion about DOT participation or contractor options.
