Time Line of Causeway Bridge Discussions
as recalled by Peter Marucci
The Naples Main Street group asked MDOT about bridge
replacement. MDOT came back with an offer to build a Bascule bridge, like
the one in South Portland, that was the latest and greatest option for
Naples, as it would decrease bridge opening length of time. The DOT spent
$300,000 designing plans for a Bascule bridge.
Naples Main Street asked for a cost of this project and MDOT replied, within
$11 million, and produced several blueprints and drawings that hung on the
wall at the town office for months. MDOT was even going to make the
temporary bridge a moveable span, so as not to hinder boat traffic.
A vote of local businesses was taken, and we all agreed to allow a fixed
span temporary bridge for 1 year, or 1 boating season, to save the state a
couple of million dollars. Construction of this project was to start Sept.
2008, as we had $11 million appropriated for the 2008/2009 construction
season.
We all thought it was a done deal until Jim Wentworth came to a Naples
selectboard meeting in late Dec. 07 and said he had misfigured the costs.
The project cost had gone from $11 million to $18 million because of the the
complex hydraulic system required for the Bascule bridge, and the housing it
needed, a 30x40, 2-3 story building.
He then said the State does not have the additional $7 million for the
project. That's when the whole fixed bridge thing started.
The people in attendance at the selectboard meeting asked if there were any
other options. MDOT said they would have a public hearing on Jan. 30, 2008.
At that public hearing, Deputy Comm. Bruce Van Note, along with Jim
Wentworth, had a chart on an easel with 4 options.
1. A fixed bridge, cost of $6 million, construction could start immediately,
life span 80 years.
2. Rehabilitate the current bridge at a cost of $8 million, construction to
start after economic impact study was complete, life span 20 years. Van
Note felt that this was not a good option for the taxpayers' money.
3. Replace the current swing bridge with a new swing bridge, cost of $14.5
million, construction could start after economic impact study was complete,
life span 75-80 years.
4. Bascule style bridge - cost of $18 million, construction could start
after economic impact study was complete, life span 75-80 years.
Mr. Van Note stated at the end of the meeting that he clearly understood the
feeling of the people present that we wanted a replacement swing bridge.
