MaineDOT announced today that preliminary construction is set to begin on replacing the Knickerbocker Bridge in Boothbay, an 80-year old bridge built on wood pilings. Construction crews are expected to be on site this week conducting test borings and clearing at the site for the new bridge.
Wyman and Simpson of Richmond is the contractor for the $5.5 million project. Crews will build the new structure on the south side of the existing bridge, allowing traffic to utilize the existing bridge while the new one is being built. During the construction period, there will be lane closures with alternating one-way traffic. There will also be 12 days that the bridge will be closed and traffic detoured onto the Samoset Road to access Hodgdon Island.
The new bridge is expected to open to traffic by the fall of 2011. Crews will then remove the old bridge, completing the project by the summer of 2012.
The new bridge will utilize composite beams for the bridge deck support. These beams are manufactured by Harbor Technologies in Brunswick. Harbor Technologies is currently manufacturing the beams, and they will be installed site in Boothbay in 2011.
The 500-foot long Knickerbocker Bridge was built in 1930 and spans the Back River. The bridge connects the town of Boothbay with Hodgdon Island.