York Town News
Troubled bridge over Cape Neddick waters crumbles
By Jennifer L. Saunders
Photo by Juanita Reed
Photo by Paul R. Ladd III
Photo Courtesy of Ralph Gustavsen
Over the past few days, the Passaconaway Bridge over the Cape Neddick River has deteriorated rapidly from cracking and buckling as pilings fell to sagging deeper toward the river. Local officials anticipate the bridge will fall as rains and tides continue to wear away at the broken structure.
And, according to local officials, it is probably just a matter of time and tides before the bridge collapses into the waters below.
"Obviously, that's a major expense," Town Manager Rob Yandow said of the bridge destruction.
However, Yandow and Public Works Director Bill Bray confirmed the bridge is a state project, which will be handled by the Maine Department of Transportation and does not need to be funded through the local coffers.
In all reality, local emergency and town officials believe the destruction to the Passaconaway Bridge and other town roads will be greatly offset by state and federal funds as Gov. John Baldacci has declared a state of emergency for the entire county.
"The Cape Neddick Bridge will be the highest loss we have in terms of infrastructure," Police Chief and Emergency Management Director Doug Bracy said on Monday.
With the Maine DOT and governor in town on Monday afternoon, Bracy said the state is well aware of York's needs.
Bracy said he expects the Passaconaway Bridge will fall within the next couple of tides.
In any case, he said, the structure must be removed and replaced. In its current condition, it will prevent not only road travel but also the work of commercial fishermen in Cape Neddick Harbor, as it is unsafe to cross below the sagging structure.
In the meantime, Bracy and other town officials are urging residents to respect the danger that areas like the falling bridge can pose to them.
"We ask the people to respect the police lines we put up, respect the barricades we've put up," Bracy said. "We don't want anyone to be injured."
There is a $1.4 million threshold of damage to receive federal emergency funding, and Bray noted that York's own road damages will probably approach that number - even without considering the additional state costs of the bridge.
Bracy noted that repairs to sections of such roads as Route 91 and 103, Shore Road, Passaconaway would include state funds.
After spending about 90 minutes with Baldacci, Art Cleaves of the Maine Emergency Management Agency and David Cole of Maine DOT, Yandow said it is clear the state wants to help.
"The governor has pledged the state's support not only with the Passaconaway Bridge, which is a state bridge," Yandow said, but for the town's other needs as well.
As some residents are wondering about access to Shore Road over the river via a temporary bridge, Yandow said that remains to me seen and will be determined by Maine DOT.
"Temporary bridges cannot go beyond a certain span," he explained, adding that information is being assessed by the state.
Associate Editor Jennifer L. Saunders can be reached via e-mail at jsaunders@yorkindependent.net.
