Ticonic Bridge Updates

December 2025

Crews continued demolition and debris removal of the existing substructure and began upstream Pier 1 demolition within the cofferdam. They completed removal of all gantry truss sections and continued dismantling the gantry tower and foundation, began rubbing the downstream curb and fascia inside a heated tent structure, and finished ledge preparation. Crews also placed the closure wall footing near the Lockwood Building, pulled the support-of-excavation sheet piles at the Winslow approach, and positioned geotextile and crane mats along the downstream wet road edge per the pier demolition containment plan.

November 2025

Demolition teams removed sections of the existing piers and downstream Abutment 2 from the wet roadway, while also stripping out the center and downstream gantry truss sections and taking the MiJack gantry cranes offsite. Workers completed the new downstream sidewalk, began and finished placing and curing the downstream curb, and continued preparing the ledge for the closure wall next to the Lockwood Building.

Concrete crews saw-cut the existing downstream Pier 1 for pier cap reconstruction and continued that work, while steel crews welded and then completed welding of new gas main sections across the bridge. Other site work included removing deck forms from the temporary support system and reinstalling the ADA ramp in Waterville for the nearby Two Cent pedestrian bridge to help maintain safe access for pedestrians in the area.

October 2025

A full bridge closure was in effect throughout October. Crews poured concrete for the next deck section and began building a temporary structure over the river to allow pier demolition. Protective shielding was installed under the bridge, and installation began for a water barrier to start demolition of the existing pier.

September 2025

Crews installed gas line sleeves at both bridge ends, added access panels, completed steel framework, and continued building the deck structure. The work zone near the river was restored for seasonal operations, and backfilling began at Abutment 1. In mid-September, the approach slab was poured, bridge drains were installed, and deck rebar work continued. Crews also built a temporary bridge for access and began installing conduit for utilities.

August 2025

Crews placed new concrete foundations and caps at Abutment 1, continued installing steel beams, and completed all steel deliveries. The lower wingwall (abutment extension) footings were placed, steel installation was completed, and connecting joint inspections were performed. Additional concrete was placed for retaining walls, and panels were installed for bridge access.

July 2025

New bearing supports and retaining walls were placed at Abutment 1, and steel beams were installed across the new section of the bridge.

May 2025

Crews installed concrete for the wall at Abutment 2 and completed removal of deck panels. Inspections were performed beneath the bridge, new cables were installed between utility vaults, and lighting foundations were placed at the Winslow approach. Crews also installed the east wall of Abutment 2, removed old steel beams, and began preparing bedrock at Abutment 1. The new deck was waterproofed and paved, allowing eastbound traffic to return to the bridge as the next phase progressed.

April 2025

Crews finished excavation at Abutment 2 and started cleaning the rock foundation. Concrete was poured for the lower part of the pier, and drainage work began at Abutment 1. Work also included reinforcing and forming the upper portion of the pier and preparing the existing deck for removal. Crews placed concrete for the new footing at Abutment 2, continued removing old bridge components, and prepared the bridge deck for replacement. Road approach and drainage work also continued. By late April, concrete was placed for the upper and main footing at Abutment 2. Crews set rock protection at the northeast corner of the bridge and continued drainage improvements.

March 2025

Reinforcing steel and forms were installed for the new pier structure. Crews continued foundation and support work on the downstream side as excavation and demolition activities progressed at Abutment 2. Later in March, crews placed concrete for the lower section of the new pier, prepared the bridge deck for removal, and completed inspection of the new water main along the bridge.

February 2025

Crews completed removal of the old overhead support structure and began installing a new one on the opposite side. The bridge curb was sealed, and bridge rail installation began. Teams cleared demolition debris from the river, continued backfilling at the Winslow approach, and completed testing and connection of the new water line.

January 2025

Throughout January, crews placed concrete for Abutment 2, Phase 1, and began work on the wet road which is the construction access road on the riverbank. Drainage and backfill continued at Abutment 2. Crews installed two new support foundations, continued disassembly of the old overhead support system, and worked on expansion joints. Materials were removed from the older arch section of the bridge, and utility and water line installation continued on the Winslow side.

June 2024

Throughout the month of June, crews completed concrete placement for phase 1 pedestals. Forms on the first lift of the pier seal were removed, along with steel girders. Workers continued with abutment 1 demo and structural earth excavation. Steel girders were removed on the westbound spans along with pier stems. Crews excavated to bedrock and cleaned it in preparation for abutment 2 work. Tree clearing on the Waterville side was completed and began on Winslow side. Abutment 1 demolition was completed. Forms and rebar were installed for abutments 1 and 2 sub-footings.

May 2024

Throughout May crews continued saw cutting operations from abutment 1 and into span 2. Crews completed phase 1 of deck removal. The gantry crane facilitated the removal of girders and structural steel, while workers continued to install rebar, formwork, and armor for the next lift of the pier stem. Demolition and structural earthwork efforts occurred at abutment 1. The $52.8 million project is scheduled for completion in 2026.

April 2024

Throughout April, crews made significant progress by completing the gantry crane setup along the entire length of the bridge. Demolition was completed on span 3, and began on span 4. Worked on center pier, installing rebar for the first section of the pier stem, and installed forms for the same.

March 2024

Crews from the department have made progress on the new Ticonic bridge in Waterville-Winslow. Concrete placement was completed on the pier footing. Cianbro continued with gantry truss erection, and prepped for gantry foundation F-1 installation. Crews began bridge deck demolition.

February 2024

Throughout February Cianbro continued work on the gantry truss from D-1 to E-1. Crews finished assembling gantry crane 1 and started installing gantry crane 2. The high spots in the seal were leveled, then drilled and installed dowels on pier seal for footing. Workers continued installing form work for the pier footing, and completed form work for the pier footing.

January 2024

Throughout January Cianbro continued with gantry crane erection, including installing crane track and truss sections. Divers on site worked at gantry foundation location F-0. Bridge rail was removed from the Waterville side of the bridge. Access to the newly placed pier seal reinstalled. Began drilling for footing dowels. Started work on pier seal prepping for next phase of the pier placement.

2023

December 2023

Cianbro completed setting up gantry crane 1, with work ongoing to setup gantry system trusses.

November 2023

Cianbro continued work on gantry foundations and trusses. Cianbro worked on installing a bulk bag cofferdam around existing bridge pier 3 for another foundation component of the gantry crane system. Work was ongoing to setup the gantry crane. Cianbro began installing the temporary pedestrian walkway on Two Cent bridge in preparation for winter maintenance on the pedestrian detour. Maine Drilling and Blasting performed the verification load test. After completion of test and results yielded it passed, Maine Drilling and Blasting started installation of the micropile.

October 2023

Cianbro's ongoing assembly work on their Gantry Truss System and truss towers, designed to accommodate the gantry crane, made substantial progress. They continued their efforts on the bulk bag cofferdam work around the proposed pier, along with the preparation of formwork for the pier leveling course placement. Meanwhile, New England Boring Contractors focused on confirmatory core borings on the Waterville side of the Ticonic Bridge. Cianbro continued their work on the gantry crane system, including the installation of more components of the gantry truss. This paralleled with their ongoing bulk bag cofferdam work around the proposed pier. The following weeks saw Cianbro's dedication to various aspects of the project, as they continued their work on the gantry crane system trusses and within the cofferdam area, building the form for the pier seal and preparing for concrete placement. This phase culminated with the successful placement of concrete for the first lift of the pier seal for the proposed pier.

September 2023

Workers closed the bridge for cleaning of the new CCI duct bank and to install the pull strings. Contractor turned over duct bank and concrete vaults to CCI to begin the pulling operations for the new communications cables. This started the anticipated 540 days of Utility work installing the cables and swapping network traffic onto the new cables. Contractor continued work on the gantry system foundations at Winslow abutment and the existing piers. Cianbro continued installing large sandbags into River for the pier cofferdam. FHWA performed a site inspection of the project with an emphasis on pedestrian and bicycle detours and safety. Overall positive review with two minor suggestions on how to make the project more ADA friendly.

August 2023

Westbound (Winslow to Waterville) traffic detoured south to Carter Memorial Bridge for 12 days of the 1,095 days allowed. Contractor continued work on the gantry system foundations at both abutments and began work at the existing piers. First support tower of gantry system installed on centerline pier #C-0. Contractor closed the bridge (Utility Extended Bridge Closure) from 08/06/2023 until 08/12/2023 to install buried duct banks in Winslow. During this closure CCI also installed a new concrete vault in Winslow and connected it to the new duct bank. 5 Days of the total allowed 175 days was used for this closure. The bridge was reopened on 08/12/2023 to Eastbound (Waterville to Winslow) traffic with Westbound (Winslow to Waterville) traffic detoured south to Carter Memorial Bridge for up to 1,095 days. Contractor continued work constructing the gantry system foundations at both abutments. Utility duct bank on bridge was connected to buried duct banks on both approaches. Boring subcontractor continued drilling bedrock confirmation cores for micropiles.

July 2023

Contractor began building access to the face of the Winslow abutment to begin penetration work for utility duct bank. Work continued on CCI fiberglass conduit and hanger installation across the bridge. Carter Memorial Drive/Augusta Road intersection fine grade completed, base pavement installed and catch basin covers installed. Installed bituminous curbing, reset granite curbing and paved at off-site Route 201 intersection. Performed signal improvements to off-site Route 201 intersection. Performed striping of the off-site Route 201 intersection Installed lighting on the Two Cent Bridge for the pedestrian detour.

June 2023

Bridge deck demo continued with 3’-6” wide utility section removal with APE mounted hoe-ram and demolition platform to catch debris. Nighttime bridge closures excavated trench across roadway for CCI duct bank installation and place concrete around duct bank. 45’ of duct bank of 15 conduits installed, secureed with concrete, and backfilled. Work began at Carter Memorial Drive/Augusta Road intersection with relocating of fire hydrant so a right turn lane can be built. Fiberglass conduit continued being assembled over the removed deck areas. Nighttime bridge closures used to excavate trench under water main and install CCI duct bank and encase in concrete. Contractor competed the 3’-6” wide utility deck demo for the entire length of the bridge and completed more fiberglass duct installation. Carter Memorial Drive/Augusta Road intersection had surface pavement ground and granite curbing removed to widen the roadway.

May 2023

Bridge curbs in the median continued being removed with a mini hoe-ram and concrete demo began being removed. Utility test pits were dug to determine exact location and condition of existing utilities. Coordination meeting held onsite with the Statewide Traffic Signal Improvement’s Contractor to discuss the project. Bridge deck began being saw cut for 3’-6” wide utility access with concrete slabs attempting to be removed. CCI Waterville concrete vault excavated on south side for installation of new duct bank. Nighttime bridge closure on 05/25/2023 used to install conduits into CCI duct vault and demolition of CMP concrete vault at Abutment 1.