Ticonic Bridge Project

News Release for July 25, 2023

For more Information:
Paul Merrill, Director of Communications - 207-215-9297

WATERVILLE/WINSLOW - The Maine Department of Transportation will be closing the Ticonic Bridge to all traffic from 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 6th until 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 12th. This is part of the ongoing work to replace the bridge, which carries Bridge Street (Routes 137 and 201) over the Kennebec River between Waterville and Winslow. During this closure, vehicle traffic will be detoured south to the Carter Memorial Bridge. Pedestrian traffic will be detoured north to the Two Cent Bridge.

While eastbound vehicle traffic will be allowed back on the bridge on Saturday, August 12th, westbound vehicle traffic will remain prohibited from the bridge for a period of approximately three years. This is being done to allow the contractor to build the upstream half of the new bridge. Westbound vehicle traffic will continue to be detoured south to the Carter Memorial Bridge. Pedestrian traffic will continue to be detoured north to the Two Cent Bridge until the upstream half of the new bridge is complete, which is scheduled to be in April 2025.

We understand that these detours are disruptive. We thank the traveling public for their patience and understanding while we work on this important project.

The current Ticonic Bridge's concrete arch dates to the early 20th century, when the bridge carried a trolley line. Other sections of the bridge were replaced in 1936 after a flood washed away the original steel truss. The bridge was further widened in 1970. The current bridge is more than 100 years old and has deteriorated to the point that the end of its useful life is near. Further attempts to repair or rehabilitate it will not restore the full integrity of the bridge to meet modern safety needs.

The new bridge is being constructed on the same alignment as the current one. The new structure will be a two-span bridge with a single concrete pier in the river. The bridge will be made of steel girders with a concrete bridge deck. Like the existing bridge, the new bridge will carry five lanes of traffic. The new structure will also feature widened shoulders and include sidewalks on both sides. Replacing the Ticonic Bridge with an improved structure that will provide long-term reliability will greatly enhance other infrastructure investments being made in Waterville by the city and Colby College.

The new Ticonic Bridge is scheduled to open to both eastbound and westbound traffic along with pedestrian traffic in September 2026. All contract work is scheduled to be complete by May 2027.

The contractor on this project is Cianbro of Pittsfield. The contract amount is $52.85 million. This project is the recipient of a 2020 Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation for $25 million.

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News Release for March 27, 2023

For more Information:
Paul Merrill, Director of Communications - 207-215-9297

WATERVILLE/WINSLOW - The Maine Department of Transportation is beginning on-site construction work to replace the Ticonic Bridge, which carries Bridge Street (Routes 137 and 201) over the Kennebec River between Waterville and Winslow.

The current Ticonic Bridge's concrete arch dates to the early 20th century, when the bridge carried a trolley line. Other sections of the bridge were replaced in 1936 after a flood washed away the original steel truss. The bridge was further widened in 1970. The current bridge is more than 100 years old and has deteriorated to the point that the end of its useful life is near. Further attempts to repair or rehabilitate it will not restore the full integrity of the bridge to meet modern safety needs.

The new bridge will be constructed on the same alignment as the current one. The new structure will be a two-span bridge with a single concrete pier in the river. The bridge will be made of steel girders with a concrete bridge deck. Like the existing bridge, the new bridge will carry five lanes of traffic. The new structure will also feature widened shoulders and include sidewalks on both sides. Replacing the Ticonic Bridge with an improved structure that will provide long-term reliability will greatly enhance other infrastructure investments being made in Waterville by the city and Colby College.

On-site construction work is scheduled to begin on Monday, April 3rd. Drivers should expect daytime and nighttime lane closures. In late August 2023, the Ticonic Bridge will be closed to westbound vehicle traffic, and westbound vehicles will be detoured to Carter Memorial Bridge so that the upstream half of the bridge can be built. In September 2023, pedestrian traffic will be detoured to Two Cent Bridge. Ticonic Bridge is scheduled to be fully closed from November 2024 until April 2025, when eastbound traffic and pedestrian traffic are scheduled to begin using the first new half of the bridge. At that time, westbound vehicle traffic will continue to be detoured to Carter Memorial Bridge. The Ticonic Bridge will fully reopen to both eastbound and westbound traffic along with pedestrian traffic around September 2026, and all contract work will be complete by May 2027.

The contractor on this project is Cianbro of Pittsfield. The contract amount is $52.85 million. This project is the recipient of a 2020 Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation for $25 million.

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