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MDOT presents Oceanville bridge options; granite-facing cost and local share debated
Summary
MDOT engineers told Stonington selectmen the Oceanville bridge’s northern piling sits on glacial till and is compromised; replacing the granite-facing could cost roughly $200,000 and MDOT offered a municipal agreement with a 50% local share as an option for preserving aesthetics.
State transportation engineers briefed Stonington selectmen on the Oceanville bridge replacement and fielded questions about structure, aesthetics and cost-sharing.
Andrew Lathe and Jaime French of the Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT) described structural concerns with the northern piling, noting it is founded on glacial till rather than bedrock and is therefore compromised. "The northern piling is too compromised and it is not on bedrock," Lathe said, explaining why a simple replacement of the metal span without addressing foundations would be problematic.
Residents and selectmen pressed MDOT on granite facing and community appearance. MDOT provided an estimate that granite-facing work could be about $200,000 and said a municipal agreement could split the cost roughly 50/50, leaving an estimated $100,000 local share if the town chose to pay for the facing to match historic aesthetics. The board discussed options including a one-lane bridge with traffic signals to reduce costs and potential municipal cost-sharing if aesthetic facing is desired.
MDOT representatives offered to meet with abutters onsite and to continue coordination with the Selectboard; no agreement was reached on committing town funds. Selectmen said they would solicit community feedback and evaluate whether the town could or should accept a local cost share for granite-facing work.
The presentation closed with MDOT agreeing to provide further estimates and continue outreach, and selectmen noting the matter will return for future discussion once additional cost information is available.
