INDUSTRY – Maine transportation officials are seeking comments before they start preliminary design work for the replacement of Seavey Bridge on Route 148.

The existing bridge is a 21-foot-long three-sided box that was built in 1921. The bridge is in poor condition and considered structurally deficient, said Ben Foster, project manager for the Maine Department of Transportation.

The wing walls on the bridge are deteriorating, he said.

“We don’t want to have a failure,” he said. The department wants to fix the bridge before something happens, Foster said.

The bridge is a small structure, he said, with concrete walls and a concrete slab on top, spanning a natural stream.

Foster said the department is interested in comments on the project that would give insight into the history of the bridge or the area.

“We’re hoping to keep the project under the $200,000 mark,” Foster said.

Foster said he hopes traffic can be rerouted and the road closed while during the estimated three to four weeks of construction, scheduled for summer 2006.

If the road cannot be closed, he said, the project will cost more and most likely take longer.

The department has $180,000 set aside for the project.

During preliminary engineering, which is scheduled to be completed in the spring of 2005, the department will evaluate replacement alternatives based on cost, feasibility, effect on the surrounding area and public need, Foster said.

Potential alternatives will vary from a complete replacement to a major rehabilitation.

Areas of special concern to the department include past flooding at the bridge site and maintenance of traffic during construction.

Pull-out:

Comments or inquiries on the Seavey Bridge replacement in Industry may be sent to:

Ben Foster, project manager,

Maine Department of Transportation

Urban and Federal Bridge Program

16 State House Station

Augusta, ME 04333-0016,

or people may call 624-3423.