SACO — The Stackpole Bridge in Saco is scheduled to be closed to through traffic until May 30.

The bridge was built in 1848, taking traffic over Stackpole Creek on Simpson Road. The original bridge was a non-engineered stone bridge with a keyhole arch, and closed to traffic in 2013.

Last year, a $1.3 million project to rehabilitate the bridge began. Although the bridge, after rehabilitation, will no longer qualify to be put on the National Register of Historic Places, as it did prior to renovation, work is being done to preserve the unique keyhole arch.

The rehabilitated bridge will have a precast T-wall retention system, but the exterior will appear similar to how it looked prior to the start of the project. Stones removed from the bridge have been set aside and will be used for the facade, say city officials.

Public Works Director Patrick Fox said in an email Thursday the bridge in February will be open for emergency vehicles and possibly local traffic, but it won’t be open for full commuter traffic until the project is completed, which is currently scheduled for the end of May.

“Due to the multiple short duration road closures that would be required throughout the remaining four months of the project completion period, and the City’s desire to improve the road approaches to the bridge from each side prior to full traffic volumes resuming, the road will remain closed to through traffic until the final completion date of May 30, 2017,” said Saco City Administrator Kevin Sutherland in a memo to the Saco City Council Tuesday.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.