Existing span was built in 1925 after a 1923 flood destroyed another
STOCKHOLM, Maine — The Maine Department of Transportation is well involved in a $1.2 million project to upgrade the bridge on Main Street in Stockholm.
The project was awarded to CPM Constructors of Freeport, with subcontracting to Soderberg Construction of Caribou.
CPM Superintendent Allen Drake plans to have the bridge safe for driving by November 15, and then to continue in April of 2017 to finish up the cosmetic aspects.
“We’ve put in a temporary bridge and plan on completely tearing out the old bridge,” said Drake. “We will be using steel beams, concrete, and then paving over it.”
Drake says the old bridge handrail was old and rotten, with a possibility of cars falling over if it were struck.
Lois Wardwell Knight of the Stockholm Historical Society says that the previous bridge was built in 1925, after a 1923 flood destroyed the bridge before it.
The superintendent will be assisted by three men in repairing the bridge while Soderberg helps with the earth work.
“The town has been very cooperative, which is good,” said Drake. “They’re really good people to work with.”
According to Stockholm’s First Selectman Dave Sterris, this project has “been in the making for three years.”
“The bridge is over 80 years old,” said Sterris. “CPM will be working in conjunction with the DOT, who have a command post at the school and oversee the project.”
Since the project is funded by MDOT, it will not directly affect the town’s mill rate.
“Any construction affects taxpayers in the state,” said Sterris. “We’re all paying for it indirectly.”
Both Sterris and Drake hope to see the bridge completed by mid-November.
“They started tearing out the old bridge this spring, and hopefully the new one will be installed before the snow flies,” Sterris said.
The first selectman says all is going well with the project so far, and that everything is falling in line with the schedule.
“The only complaint I’ve received is that there isn’t a Swedish flag flying above the bridge,” Sterris joked.
