Damage caused by culvert failure on Route 9 in Durham. Maine Department of Transportation photo
Route 9 in Durham was closed to traffic Tuesday evening after a culvert over Dyer Brook washed out and collapsed.
The closure, which went into effect at 7 p.m., will remain for two weeks to allow the Maine Department of Transportation time to install a new, larger culvert.
Paul Merrill, spokesman for the MDOT, said the culvert failed around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, most likely because of the heavy rain that saturated the ground the previous night. No injuries were reported.
The closed section of Route 9 connects Durham with Lisbon Falls and is located off heavily used Route 136. The section of Route 9 that passes by Bradbury Mountain State Park in Pownal won’t be affected.
Map courtesy of the Maine Department of Transportation
Detoured traffic should use Routes 136 and 125 in Durham and Freeport. The MDOT will install message boards to notify drivers.
Merrill said the state was fortunate to have a replacement culvert in stock, which will expedite the project.
The culvert that failed had a diameter of 6 feet. The state will replace it with an arch that is 15 feet wide and 10 feet tall. This replacement will be able to accommodate a 100-year storm event.
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