Jonesport’s Beals Island Bridge. Photo credit: MaineDOTThe Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) has been awarded a $10.5 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation for replacing the Beals Island Bridge in Jonesport.
“This important funding will allow the MaineDOT to move forward in replacing the bridge, improving public safety, increasing connectivity between the island and the mainland, and helping to create jobs in rural Maine,” says Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), who pushed for the project grant.
The total cost for replacing the bridge, originally built in 1958, is estimated at $19.4 million and construction will begin in February 2017. MaineDOT says the new bridge will be built on the east side of the existing bridge, with completion set for spring of 2019. Traffic in both directions will be maintained, as well as the navigational channel, during construction.
“The replacement of the Beals Island Bridge is an important step as we continue to maintain a solid, well-built infrastructure throughout our state,” says MaineDOT Commissioner David Bernhardt. “Our many thanks to Senator Susan Collins for, once again, helping to deliver critical funding that allows for economic opportunity and helping to ensure safe travel for residents, tourists and business alike.”
