TOPSHAM

Police say someone vandalized the Androscoggin Pedestrian Swinging Bridge sometime overnight Wednesday.

Topsham Police Lt. Fred Dunn said police believe the damage was done sometime between 9 p.m. Wednesday and when it was reported at around 10 a.m. Thursday morning. The markings in three different colors are ones police haven’t seen, Dunn said. Someone wrote “Hi,” on the brick approach and “Game on” and it looks like the word “goes” on a light pole and a monument by the bridge was sprayed with paint as well.

Maine Soda Blasting was scheduled to remove the graffiti Friday. Dunn estimated the cost to be upwards of $700 but Nancy Randolph, cochair of Save Our Swinging Bridge.Org said Friday it will likely be more expensive.

The organization is always raising money for ongoing maintenance of the historic 1892 bridge rehabilitated in 2006.

Randolph, who also is treasurer for the organization, said, “We would like to spend the money for maintaining and beautifying the environment of this bridge,” which is the purpose of the organization.

“Maintaining the bridge and its surroundings, that’s where the money should be going and every penny spent removing or correcting vandalism, is a waste of our money; a waste of our resources,” she said. “The fact is, we’re very luck that we’re able to get the stuff off.”

Dunn said if anyone has any information on the vandalism or saw anything suspicious in the area of the Swinging Bridge Wednesday night to call Topsham Police at 725-4337.

dmoore@timesrecord.com