HOULTON, Maine — The bridge on Houlton’s Green Street, which had been closed since last May, is reopened to vehicle traffic.
The old bridge, which was approximately 100 years old, had to be replaced due to having large amounts of decay and damage from its century of existence. Construction on the bridgework was begun early due to lack of school bus traffic as a result of COVID-19. Work on the bridge had been contracted to Northeast Paving of Hampden.
The total amount for the contract was more than $1 million, according to Paul Merrill, from the Maine Department of Transportation.
“There is a five-foot wide sidewalk on the new bridge. The old bridge did not have a sidewalk,” said Merrill regarding the features of the new bridge. “The opening size of the bridge is much larger, 160 square feet versus 91 square feet.”
Other new features for the bridge include improved highway drainage, and a natural streambed which makes the area around the bridge fish-friendly. The bridge has a span of 22 feet compared to the original span of 10 feet, and features a new crash-tested concrete bridge rail.
In order to maintain the passage of water through the area while construction was underway, a pipeline was put in place to divert the flow of water and fish so that they could reach the other side. A ledge was also encountered during construction work, but it did not affect the schedule for completing the bridge.
The bridge carries Green Street over Pearce Brook between Court and Chandler streets. The reopening of the bridge is ahead of schedule, with the Maine Department of Transportation initially estimating the closure to last until Nov. 13.
