TOPSHAM

Members of the Friends of the Frank J. Wood Bridge say they’re still optimistic that the 84-year-old structure can be saved.

The group again made its case for restoring the bridge on Thursday, when stakeholders met to review the Federal Highway Administration’s preliminary findings on the potential historical and environmental impact of rehabilitating or replacing the bridge.

Out of four historic sites in the area, only one — the Brunswick- Topsham Industrial Historic District — was shown to be at risk of an adverse effect as a result of replacing the bridge, according to architectural historian Kate Willis.

Replacing the bridge would diminish that district’s integrity by impacting the setting, design, materials, feeling and association, Willis said.

However, Friends member Phin White disagreed with the notion that replacing the bridge would have no adverse effect on the Summer Street Historic District. He added: “Things such as the waterfall area being potentially historic in itself, contributing to the view from the bridge, contributing to the view from Cabot Mill — it’s an area that people would have seen hundreds, maybe 1,000 years ago. That, by the way, is the proposed site for the new modern bridge.”

The Maine Department of Transportation is considering whether to rehabilitate or replace the bridge that spans the Androscoggin River and connects Brunswick’s downtown with Topsham.

In April, the MDOT revealed that the bridge, while safe for the time being, is structurally deficient. In August, MDOT posted a lower weight limit of 25 tons after an inspection revealed rapid deterioration of structural steel.

The department is considering replacing the structure with a new bridge with a 100-year lifespan at a cost of $12 million to $13 million.

The other option is to rehabilitate the existing bridge for $10 million, thereby adding 30 years to its lifespan.

Many groups, ranging from the local chamber to bicycle and pedestrian organizations, have come out in favor of a new bridge because of the added safety features for vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians, and the stunning views a new bridge would offer of the river, among other reasons.

However, Friends of the Frank J. Wood Bridge maintain the bridge has historic and cultural value.

White said Thursday’s meeting gave members the opportunity to gauge whether the MDOT was favoring rehabilitation or replacement. He remained optimistic the Green Bridge can be saved.

“I think that they’re learning how historic it is, and they’re starting to see that there won’t be any of these bridges left,” White said. “You have Pejepscot Mill, you have the Green Bridge and then you have the Cabot Mill, and the three together, it’s a formula, it’s a recipe. And if you take the bridge out of the center, it’s just not going to work anymore for a lot of people.”

dmoore@timesrecord.com

Bridge woes

• IN APRIL, MDOT revealed that the Frank J. Wood Bridge, while safe for the time being, is structurally deficient. In August, MDOT posted a lower weight limit of 25 tons after an inspection revealed rapid deterioration of structural steel.