A section of Route 35 in the town of Standish was temporarily closed today as a result of the partial undermining of the roadway associated with a bridge replacement project.
The Sebago Lake Crossing Bridge, which carries Route 35 over the Mountain Division Rail Line, is undergoing a replacement project conducted by the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT). The new bridge is being constructed just a few feet away from the existing bridge. The prime contractor on the project is Technical Construction, Inc. of Turner, Maine.
Workers were erecting a temporary retaining wall as part of the bridge project when the shoring gave way to loose composite soils from the old backfill. MaineDOT engineers at the work site observed partial undermining of the roadway and determined that the road should be closed temporarily for the safety of the traveling public.
Flaggers and local emergency personnel have been on site, and have set up a temporary detour that utilizes Route 237, Houston Road, and Route 114.
At this time, it is anticipated that traffic on this segment of Route 35 should be fully restored sometime this evening. MaineDOT appreciates the patience of motorists while this problem is repaired, and drivers are urged to drive slowly and use extra caution while driving through this and any roadway construction project.