ARUNDEL — Construction on the Bartlett Bridge — which stretches over the Kennebunk River, connecting Kennebunk and Arundel along Route 1 — is running smoothly and should be completed by the fall.

“If they’re not ahead of schedule they are right on schedule,” Arundel Town Manager Keith Trefethen said in a phone call. “They’ve increased their work to six days a week to accomplish having the bridge finished up by this fall. “

Originally, Maine DOT workers had been working five days a week, according to Trefethen.

The Maine DOT had started replacing the old bridge in the beginning of May. Workers have set up a two temporary bridges since then that have kept the flow of traffic smooth, even during the peak of Maine’s tourism season over the past few months.

“Traffic has been fine. I haven’t heard from our sheriff’s deputy about any frequency of incidents in the area,” Trefethen said. “I think the speed signs the DOT installed have done well to urge drivers to slow down when they enter the temporary bridge.”

The Kennebunk River provides habitat to wood turtles, a threatened species in Maine. According to Maine DOT Project Engineer John Auger, crews are looking to build a shelf along the bridge that will use the riverbanks currents to create a passageway for the turtles.

— Staff Writer Ryder Schumacher can be reached at 282-1535, or via email at rschumacher@journaltribune.com.