AUGUSTA - The Maine Department of Transportation has released the results of an investigation regarding the former municipal landfill in Machias and its potential impacts on MaineDOT's Machias Dike Bridge project. The capped landfill site is located west of and upstream from the Dike Bridge, which carries Route 1 over the Middle River in Machias.

The current Dike Bridge dates to the Civil War era and is deteriorating. In June, MaineDOT had preliminarily identified a bridge span as the preferred alternative to replace the existing four box culverts. As a bridge span is expected to increase water levels in the Middle River, MaineDOT commissioned the study of the municipal landfill site to learn more about potential environmental impacts should a bridge option be selected.

This new report summarizes the results of the subsurface investigation and laboratory testing programs, groundwater monitoring program, and geotechnical evaluations conducted over the summer and fall at and near the former municipal landfill. Laboratory testing done as part of this investigation suggest the landfill has already caused some impact to existing water quality. The most notable concerns are inorganic compounds (dissolved metals) and polyfluoroalkyl substances PFAS compounds. Levels of barium, cadmium, iron, and manganese were found to exceed Maine Department of Environmental Protection thresholds for drinking water. PFAS compounds also exceeded Maine Interim Drinking Water standards. The analysis suggests that increasing water levels in the Middle River will not worsen these impacts.

"Even though this report suggests that increased water levels associated with a bridge alternative would not worsen the negative environmental impacts at the former municipal landfill site, these findings still raise concerns for us," said MaineDOT Chief Engineer Joyce Taylor. "We are still considering other alternatives and will continue working with our environmental partners at the state and federal levels to find the best path forward for the Machias community."

The consultant report, a summary prepared by MaineDOT, and other information about the Machias Dike Bridge Feasibility Study are available at www.maine.gov/mdot/projects/machiasbridge/.