A deteriorating Old Town bridge closed temporarily Monday morning after strong winds shifted a utility pole, which is now leaning over the bridge and could collapse.
The Llewellyn G. Estes Memorial Bridge, which consists of two structures that carry Stillwater Avenue across the Stillwater River, is more than 70 years old. It’s considered structurally deficient.
“The telephone pole sits in the middle of that bridge, and the wind has blown that pole over,” said Scott Wilcox, the city’s public safety director. “It is now leaning over the bridge and into traffic and being held up by the guardrail.”
The bridge, which is considered structurally deficient, had been slated for replacement as part of a multi-year, $20 million project, but the Maine Department of Transportation rejected all bids for the work last year and delayed the replacement at least until 2024. Now a severe spring storm and high winds have created another concern with an unstable pole that has closed the bridge.
Shutting down access to the bridge temporarily ensures that drivers passing through the area will remain safe, Wilcox said. Versant Power will address the issue, though Wilcox could not provide a timeframe.
“I don’t know that the pole would affect the condition of the bridge or would move the deadline [for the bridge replacement] up,” he said.
The city issued a temporary emergency detour Monday morning.
Traffic along Stillwater and College avenues will detour to Route 2 in Orono, according to the city. Stillwater Avenue and Spring Street traffic will reroute to Bennoch Road.
