WATERVILLE/WINSLOW - The project to replace the Ticonic Bridge reached its next milestone Thursday afternoon, June 26th when the bridge re-opened to eastbound traffic (Waterville heading into Winslow). Traffic may now utilize the new bridge on the upstream side of the Kennebec River, on what will eventually become the westbound lanes. Westbound traffic will follow the same detour as before utilizing the Carter Memorial Bridge, south of the project site.

Pedestrian traffic is also restored at this time, utilizing the new sidewalk. Cyclists heading westbound should do so on the sidewalk, on foot.

The bridge was fully closed to traffic on January 6th of this year to allow the contractor space to demolish the existing bridge while building the new one.

This ends phase 1 of this project. Phase 2 is already underway with crews working on the Waterville abutment and erecting steel girders on the downstream half of the bridge. The contractor on this project is Cianbro Corporation. The contract amount is $58.8 million. This bridge is expected to be fully open to traffic by August 2026. On-site construction is scheduled to be completed by the end of May 2027.