Maplewood Ave Bridge
Maplewood Avenue Bridge IS CLOSED TO VEHICLES THROUGH NOVEMBER 2024 for structural repairs to the Maplewood Avenue Causeway over North Mill Pond. This project includes repairs to the culvert and other safety upgrades. SEE DETOUR ALTERNATIVES BELOW.
UPDATE for Week of October 28, 2024
Work continues within the bridge closure limits. Construction activities are anticipated to include:
Reconstruction of northeast retaining wall.
Backfilling behind the northwest retaining wall.
Completion of necessary modifications to the existing footings
Progress Update:
Because the project was not approved for start until August, the following schedule is most likely:
Complete ‘in water and/or below tide level’ work by end the of November.
Remove the cofferdams, place some temporary pavement as necessary and then restore vehicular traffic and full tidal action by mid-December.
Next spring:
It will be necessary to close the bridge to vehicular traffic again briefly (anticipated 2-3 weeks) for water main replacement and to prepare and pave the binder pavement.
Open the bridge to traffic again in May.
May/June – With flaggers in place during the day, work on the sidewalks, one side at a time, with pedestrians using the opposite sidewalk as appropriate.
July – Final paving and cleanup..
If you would like to receive updates on the project work, please provide your email below.
Maplewood Ave. to Downtown:
Dennett Street to Downtown:
Downtown to Vaughan St. and east side of closure:
Downtown to points west of closure:
Maine to Downtown:
Maine to Downtown (missed Submarine Way):
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the construction hours?
- Monday-Friday, 7 am to 6 pm, although some work will need to be done at low tide, which will affect the project when work is being done on the culvert under the bridge.
- Will there be construction work on weekends?
- No weekend work is anticipated unless there are delays.
- Will vehicular traffic be able to use the bridge on weekends if construction is not taking place?
- No, the bridge will not allow vehicular traffic during the closure. Once the bridge begins to take form again in the fall, it will reopen partially and flaggers will be used to one lane of alternating traffic while the work crew is finishing the sidewalks and railings.
- Is there a preferred detour that will allow people to get into town?
- Maplewood Avenue traffic will be detoured to the Route 1 Bypass and Market Street. The Bartlett Street Project is also proceeding and more access there will be available soon.
- Will the tide continue to flow in and out of North Mill Pond?
- The diversion pipe has been functioning since its installation the week of October 14 to allow the tide to flow back and forth, but on a limited basis. Since the pipe is only 60" in diameter, much less water than normal can enter and exit the pond for now. The system is being actively managed regarding flow to prevent the cofferdam system on the pond side from being overwhelmed.
Preconstruction Public Meeting was held on May 7, 2024. For the recording of the meeting, presentation and Q&A, please visit: 5.7.2024 Maplewood Avenue Bridge Project Preconstruction Meeting - YouTube and the meeting presentation.
Review the full plan here.
Project Description:
This is a rehabilitation of the bridge using an adhered lining system on the arch and reconstruction of the walls as necessary. This will allow the City to extend the lifespan of the bridge without the cost of an immediate full replacement. This rehabilitation work will also include reconstructing the sidewalks and replacing the bridge’s guard rails in the spring of 2025 and resurfacing of the roadway in the late summer of 2025. This repair work is intended to rehabilitate the bridge and make it suitable for use for at least another ten years.
Estimated Completion: At this time, it is anticipated that the bridge will reopen for the winter season and that the contractor will return in the spring of 2025 to replace the sidewalks. Final paving will be completed in the summer/fall of 2025. June 2025 for substantial completion.
Cost: $4,000,000.
Funding Source: Included in CIP FY24-29 with funding from bonds.
Designer/Contractor: HTA Engineering, Evroks Construction Co.