It’ll be a busy summer for bridges near downtown Belfast.
The state is getting ready to do $350,000 in work to shore up the western end of the Veterans Memorial Bridge that carries vehicle traffic along Route 1 over the Passagassawakeag River — a project that will temporarily close the pedestrian rail trail that passes through that part of town.
And the city has just agreed to do a routine inspection of the Armistice Bridge, the nearby footbridge which allows pedestrians and cyclists to cross the river. The City Council voted Tuesday night to approve $32,966 for the work.
“The bridge is an important asset for the City and because it’s a structure used often and located on the water, maintenance is important,” Harbor Master Kathy Given said in a written statement about the inspection.
First built in 1921, the footbridge once carried Route 1 over the river, but it was later replaced by the Veterans Memorial Bridge. It was renovated from 2005 to 2006. While the city does regular maintenance, its last inspection by an experienced bridge inspector was done in 2014.
This one will include an inspection of both the underwater and above water parts of the bridge.
Given pointed to the heavy storms that have hit Maine’s coast in recent years and done millions in damage to coastal communities. In recent years, Belfast has worked to upgrade and repair other parts of its waterfront, as well, including the city’s breakwater.
“As a result of recent, more intense storms, we want to be sure there is no damage under the water that cannot be seen,” Given said.
Given did not detail how the city would make repairs if the inspection identifies any damage on the footbridge.
The inspection will be done by the firms VHB — which conducted the work on the bridge in 2006 — and GEI, with funding out of the city’s footbridge capital reserve account, which holds a current balance of just over $62,000.
Less than a mile away, Maine DOT is also getting ready to make the repairs on the Veterans Memorial Bridge, a project that’s expected to last six weeks and take place in the coming months.
The purpose of that project is to address a failed slope in front of the west abutment. In addition, workers will reset and refurbish bridge bearings that have tipped at Pier 1, according to a project summary on the Maine DOT’s website. To ensure traffic and construction worker safety, the city will be closing the rail trail in the immediate area of the project.
