Maplewood Ave Bridge

Image shows the Maplewood Avenue Bridge from the shore with a crane installing the coffer dam

Timeline

Maplewood Avenue Bridge IS CLOSED TO VEHICLES THROUGH 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.

Week of December 16:

Complete the removal of the water diversion system (coffer dam). Prepare the site for opening the roadway to vehicular traffic and clean up the staging area.

End of December:

The bridge will reopen to vehicular traffic with temporary paving.

Spring 2025:

  • 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

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DETOUR ROUTES: 

The new traffic pattern detours vehicles around the bridge via the Route 1 Bypass, Market Street, Russell Street and Deer Street. Pedestrian access will be maintained via the southern sidewalk. This traffic pattern is anticipated to remain in place throughout the rest of the 2024 construction season.
 

Traffic circle to Downtown:

Traffic circle to Downtown

Maplewood Avenue to Downtown:

Maplewood to Downtown

Dennett Street to Downtown:

Dennett St. to Downtown

Downtown to Vaughan Street and east side of closure:

Downtown to Vaughan St.

Downtown to points west of closure:

Downtown to points west of bridge

Maine to Downtown:

Maine to Downtown

Maine to Downtown (missed Submarine Way):

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.