Topsham/Brunswick ? The Frank J. Wood Bridge, spanning the Androscoggin River between Topsham and Brunswick, is being posted to a lower weight limit of 25 tons as a result of recent inspections.
While this unplanned posting does not affect most noncommercial vehicles, five axle trucks and other commercial vehicles will follow a bypass detour of one mile.
A regularly scheduled bridge inspection was conducted in June and those findings prompted a subsequent inspection in early August. The inspection team of MaineDOT bridge engineers found rapid deterioration of structural steel which triggered a drop in the ranking of the bridge deck and superstructure from fair condition to poor condition. The ongoing and fast deterioration of the structural steel, particularly in the vicinity of the floor beam ends and connection plates, requires immediate repairs. This posting is expected to last for multiple years.
The bridge posting will be in place beginning on Thursday, August 18th at 8:00 a.m.
Built in 1937, this three-span bridge is 815ft. long and 30ft. wide. It has an average daily traffic count of 19,256 of which approximately five percent is heavy commercial trucks.
The Frank J. Wood Bridge was rehabilitated in 1985. More recently, the substructure was rehabilitated and the bridge rail and curbs were improved in 2006.
This bridge continues to be safe. The 25 ton posting is for large five axel trucks and other commercial vehicles.
For more information, visit: http://www.maine.gov/mdot/projects/brunswick/frankjwoodbridge/