York Town News
MDOT, local residents disagree on best plan for Passaconaway Bridge
By Jennifer L. Saunders
Although Rice's Bridge on Route 1 is larger in size, the Maine Department of Transportation has proposed a similar structure to replace the Passaconaway Bridge that was a destroyed as a result of the Mother's Day weekend flooding. Rice's Bridge, pictured above, has a four-bar rail, but the new bridge would have a three-bar rail according to MDOT.
Photo courtesy of MDOT
CAPE NEDDICK - The Maine Department of Transportation and the town have reached at least a partial compromise on plans for a permanent replacement for the Passaconaway Bridge, which fell victim to this years' Mother's Day storm.
However, not all parties are in agreement on what is best for the future of Cape Neddick Harbor.
MDOT officials held their second public hearing on the bridge construction project on Tuesday evening, June 27, at the York Public Library.
At the meeting, officials confirmed that they have heard the town's request to widen the width of the bridge to allow for a sidewalk and that plan is in place.
The sidewalk, however, will not be built until such time as the town has authorized funds for approaching sidewalks, due to MDOT policies.
At that time, MDOT will return and build the sidewalks on the bridge, officials confirmed at last week's meeting. MDOT will build the bridge wide enough to include sidewalks in the future, but will not add the sidewalks until the town builds sidewalks approaching the bridge.
And while the sidewalk decision was one most members of the Board of Selectmen were pleased to hear, it did not address all the concerns voiced by those who attended.
One major concern voiced was the silting of the Cape Neddick Harbor in the 80-or-so years that the former bridge stood there.
Water could flow in, Selectman Torbert Macdonald Jr. said at the hearing, but silt and sediment could not flow out.
MDOT officials explained that the proposed bridge is similar in style to Rice's Bridge, which carries Route 1 over the York River. Although the new Passaconaway Bridge will be smaller in size, it would have a similar look, explained Carol Morris of MDOT.
Maine Department of Environmental Protection regulations, such as impact on an existing clam flat in the area of the bridge, now preclude changes to the harbor, according to MDOT.
"If we went back in time, and 1924 doesn't happen (the year the former Passaconaway Bridge was built) … the narrowing never takes place … the bridge is never there, or the bridge is never taken out … the water would have had room to get out," Macdonald said. "What I'm trying to point out is that you're taking a natural river and in 1924 you're creating a man-made creature."
Referring to sedimentation over 82 years that has changed the character of the harbor completely, Macdonald questioned what will happen if the new bridge lasts a project 150 years.
"You're taking a mistake that was made 82 years ago for the same reason: cheap … cheaper … and you're perpetuating that mistake for another 150 years," he said, cautioning that such a move would be the death of the Cape Neddick River.
Former selectman Ron Nowell, too, questioned the environmental impact of the bridge as well as the aesthetics.
"People don't come here so they can get over that bridge easier and quicker and faster. They come here for the view," he said. "… This sounds like the big dig. … It sounds like this thing is going to go on forever."
Kinley Gregg questioned whether Maine DEP was involved in the project.
"I'm concerned about the constriction here of the causeway," she said. "Clearly, there has been a great infringement on the integrity of this river in the past."
MDOT officials confirmed that both Maine DEP and the Department of Inland Fisheries have signed off on the design.
Selectmen Chairman David Marshall acknowledged MDOT estimates of the town's preferred bridge design at $10 million versus about $2.5 million for the three-span bridge as proposed.
"Has any engineering work been done to determine something in that range is a solution?" he asked. "… Maybe there's something in between that would solve the problem that there isn't any harbor anymore because of this bridge."
According to MDOT, the town does have that option, but the bridge project would then fall back on the priority list and could run the risk of not receiving federal reimbursement.
"I get the sense that it's basically cookie-cutter, here it is, that's they way it's going to go, and if you don't like it, you can go find the money yourselves," said Selectmen Vice Chairman Dwight Bardwell.
MDOT has asked for a decision from the town following the Board of Selectmen's next meeting on July 10.
In the meantime, the Maybee Bridge is now open with one-way, signal-directed traffic over the Cape Neddick River.
Contact Associate Editor Jennifer L. Saunders at jsaunders@yorkindependent.net.
