As a replacement or rehabilitation project looms for the Frank J. Wood “Green” Bridge spanning the Androscoggin River between Brunswick and Topsham, bridge engineers have decided to lower the weight limit on the bridge to 25 tons. The decision came after an inspection found rapid deterioration of structural steel.

The bridge is slated to undergo a replacement or rehabilitation in 2018, a schedule that is fluid according to the Maine Department of Transportation. While the department has recommended replacement, DOT spokesman Ted Talbot said Monday that is a decision that hasn’t yet been

made.

“While this unplanned posting does not affect most non-commercial vehicles, five axle trucks and other commercial vehicles will follow a bypass detour of 1 mile,” states a press release issued Monday by the DOT.

There currently is no weight limit.

The findings of a regularly scheduled bridge inspection in June prompted a subsequent inspection earlier this month. The inspection team of DOT bridge engineers “found rapid deterioration of structural steel which triggered a drop in the ranking of the bridge deck and superstructure from fair condition to poor condition. The ongoing and fast deterioration of the structural steel, particularly in the vicinity of the floor beam ends and connection plates, requires immediate repairs.”

The bridge posting will be in place beginning at 8 a.m. Thursday and is expected to last for “multiple” years.

Built in 1937, the bridge is 815 feet long and 30 feet wide. It has an aver- age daily traffic count of 19,256 of which approximately 5 percent is heavy commercial trucks.

The Frank J. Wood Bridge was rehabilitated in 1985. More recently, the substructure was rehabilitated and the bridge rail and curbs were improved in 2006.

The bridge continues to be safe, DOT officials say. The 25-ton posting is for large five axle trucks and other commercial vehicles, which will need to take a 1-mile detour on the Route 196 Coastal Connector. Starting Thursday, Talbot said there will be signs with orange flags near the approaches to the bridge and there will be signs letting truck drivers know well in advance of the weight limit and the detour.

Talbot said Maine State Police will monitor the bridge and enforce the weight limit, adding, “We have a good relationship with them for our posted bridges.”

“The 25 ton posting reduces the urgency for the repair but we hopefully will have something in place this fall,” Talbot said. “I would assume some traffic disruption. We will try and work from below as much as possible.”

Representatives of Crooker Construction, LLC in Topsham noted that while it would likely keep some of their trucks off the bridge, it shouldn’t be an issue since they can easily take the bypass to Brunswick or other routes.

Josh Larrabee, a manager at Sea Dogs Brewing Co., a Topsham restaurant with outside seating overlooking the river and bridge, had just got a call Monday morning from someone from the DOT. Larrabee notified one of the kitchen managers to make sure the companies making food deliveries are all aware of the bridge posting by Thursday. He noted they usually get deliveries Thursday mornings.

“It should be OK as long as we get the word out quickly,” he said.

Whether a truck is loaded or not may make the difference of whether or not they fall under the weight restriction, Talbot said.

“Every driver needs to be aware of that tonnage,” he said.

The Frank J. Wood Bridge is certainly not the first bridge in the state to be posted with a weight limit.

“We have an aging infrastructure and when it comes to bridges we will either ultimately replace, rehabilitate and/or post all in the name of public safety,” Talbot said. Emergency vehicles like fire trucks and ambulances can still use the bridge.

“The bridge is safe for regular type vehicles,” he said. “Residents and businesses can fully utilize the bridge.”