Casco Bay Bridge was closed to traffic temporarily Friday night after built-up snow prevented the bridge from closing properly.

Both the northbound and southbound lanes of the bridge connecting Portand and South Portland were initially closed around 6 p.m. on Friday. Crews reopened the northbound lanes headed into Portland first, but the southbound lanes remained closed for nearly two hours. Maine Department of Transportation spokesman Ted Talbot said all lanes reopened just before 8 p.m.

It was not the first time the Casco Bay Bridge wouldn’t close fully because of snow or ice build-up in the area where the bridge meets the road.

“We normally catch it ahead of time, but this one was tricky,” Talbot said.

He said an electrician and maintenance crews did the required inspections to ensure there was no damage. He said crews would likely test the bridge again late Friday or early Saturday, when there was no marine traffic underneath and minimal traffic across the bridge.


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