WESTBROOK – Work has now begun on two state-run bridge projects, causing more delays and detours for drivers, but the city has gained an unexpected benefit that officials say will make a troublesome intersection safer.

The state Department of Transportation is doing bridge replacement work on the Mill Brook Bridge and Little Bridge, according to a release from the state and an advisory from the Westbrook Police Department. The Mill Brook Bridge allows Bridgton Road, otherwise known as Route 302, to cross the Mill Brook. The bridge is just south of the Methodist Road intersection with Bridgton Road. On Tuesday, workers were guiding traffic in both directions around the work, and helped drivers turning onto and off Methodist Road.

The Little Bridge is on East Bridge Street, not far from where the street meets Bridgton Road. Traffic there has been restricted to one lane traveling only toward Bridgton Road, according to the state. Drivers trying to get to East Bridge Street from Bridgton Road will be forced to take a detour onto Pride and Austin streets.

It is the Pride Street/Bridgton Street intersection that has caused trouble. Traffic study statistics were not available this week, but the intersection has been a continual problem with people making left turns onto Pride Street, due in part to line of sight issues.

City Engineer Eric Dudley said this week that the volume of traffic is a problem, too. The street is a major conduit between Windham and Portland, which leads to heavy commuter traffic.

“Trying to make a left turn onto Pride Street, it’s difficult,” he said.

In order to make using the detour easier, said City Administrator Jerre Bryant, the state has built a new turn lane and left turn signal at the intersection, allowing drivers heading north on Bridgton Road to make the left turn onto Pride Street much more easily. On Tuesday, fresh paint was visible on the street at the intersection.

“They agreed to do it. It was a nice improvement, and it’ll be there forever,” said Bryant.

Dudley said the permanent addition to the intersection would help impatient drivers negotiate the left turn, and definitely make the intersection safer.

“There’s quite a few accidents there,” he said. “Most of them are (caused by) failure to yield.”

The advisory indicated the work should be completed in the spring of 2012.