MADAWASKA, Maine — The international bridge in Madawaska will permanently close on June 3 in anticipation of the new bridge’s opening on June 6.
The existing bridge, which runs straight into the Canadian city of Edmundston, is more than 100 years old. It was posted at five tons in 2017, meaning that large trucks need to cross at the ports of entry in Fort Kent and Van Buren. Both towns are roughly a half-hour drive away from Madawaska.
Motorists will also need to cross in these two towns between June 3 and 6.
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And while dates are set for the opening and closing, specific times are not yet available. Maine Department of Transportation spokesperson Paul Merrill said this is due to the variability that comes with outdoor construction projects.
Once the new bridge opens, work will still need to be done on an overlapping area on the Canadian side of the bridge. Contractors will need to to demolish the existing abutment on the Canadian port of entry that connected the old bridge. The new bridge will be posted at five tons until this work is completed. A completion date for this work is not yet available.
The new bridge costs roughly $100 million. It was awarded to Woolwich-based contractor Reed & Reed in 2021 for their low bid of $86.5 million. The total bridge project is estimated to cost $97.5 million when demolition costs are included.
The new bridge, on the American side, will run diagonally across and begin at a brand-new port of entry. The port, estimated to cost about $65 million, will be larger than the existing port, capable of housing more staff and facilities. The U.S. Green Building Council also certified the building as energy efficient and sustainable.
The existing port of entry was built in 1959. It has no room for expansion.
The new bridge was originally set to open in March, however it was delayed to early June. The work was put on hold in late 2023, and resumed early this year. Since then, contractors moved the in-water work trestle from under the new bridge to the old bridge to help with demolition.
