VERONA ISLAND — A Maine bridge that had to close temporarily because of falling chunks of ice is closing again.

The Maine Department of Transportation said the Penobscot Narrows Bridge will be closed Sunday in hopes that warming temperatures will melt the remaining ice.

Spokesman Ted Talbot said the bridge that carries U.S. Route 1 over the Penobscot River and connects Verona Island to Prospect could be closed again on Monday, if necessary. He says the forecast calls for rain on Monday. And as a last resort, a crane is on standby to tap the bridge to loosen ice.

Authorities say at least five vehicles were damaged and two were totaled when chunks of ice, some as big as basketballs, fell from the bridge’s cables on Dec. 29. No one was hurt.


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