A low clearance railroad bridge that has been hit several times in past years — and shaved off the top of many box trailers like a sardine can — is soon to be one less obstacle for drivers.

The state-owned railroad trestle along Route 24 in Richmond will be moved next week, according to Maine Department of Transportation officials.

Jeff Pitcher, the Transportation Operations Manager for Railroad for the MDOT, said the bridge has been hit multiple times over the last few years and is currently not in a usable state.

It would require significant repairs to facilitate train operations over the bridge, he said, so the department made the decision to remove the bridge and if train traffic returns, to replace it.

The track structure was removed Wednesday and the entire superstructure of the bridge is being dismantled and removed from the site next week during a road closure, Pitcher said.

The abutments will remain, so the width of the road will not change.

Route 24 is slated to be closed Monday through Friday of next week to allow crews to remove the bridge. The town of Richmond has granted use of Ferry Road for a detour during this time.

“It’s an overhead hazard we are moving for the safety of the public,” Pitcher said.

dmoore@timesrecord.com

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