Bridge repairs on the Merrymeeting Bay Bridge that carries Route 196 over the Androscoggin River and connects Brunswick and Topsham enter a new phase on Thursday night as construction crews will be grinding out the existing pavement Thursday and Friday nights, May 12 and 13. Crews will maintain one open lane of traffic in each direction as they remove the pavement.
The next phase of the Merrymeeting Bay Bridge rehabilitation includes repaving the bridge the following two nights with two inches of asphalt, if the weather is suitable for paving. The new bridge surface is expected to be in place by the middle of next week.
Construction crews also continue upgrades to the rail line in Brunswick as part of the Downeaster expansion project. Starting Monday, May 16, Stanwood Street will be closed to through traffic as construction crews will be replacing the railroad crossing area on Stanwood Street. Area businesses will remain open during regular hours during the construction.
The work at the crossing includes the installation of a 24"x70' ductile iron sleeve for the Brunswick and Topsham Water District, installation of conduit for signals, resetting the existing yard track, installation of new mainline track, installation of new rubber seals on the track and paving work. If there are no weather delays, the road should be reopened after five days.