The Maine Department of Transportaton said this week that a fixed bridge or swing bridge are the viable options to replace the current swing bridge on the Naples Causeway.

After a Jan. 30 public hearing at the Songo Locks Elementary School in Naples, Jim Wentworth, state project manager for the bridge program, said that other scenarios presented at the meeting, including a new lift bridge for $18 million, and rehabilitation of the current bridge at $8 million, are not cost effective.

“Overall, the long term costs (of rehabilitation) are more expensive than that $18 million lift bridge,” said Wentworth, because rebuilt bridge requires more maintenance in the future.

The more than 150 people from area who were present at the hearing were largely opposed to a fixed bridge, because it will prevent some boat traffic from passing freely between Long Lake and Brandy Pond.

Transportation officials fielded questions for more than two hours after presenting four options for replacing the current lift bridge on Route 302. Options included a fixed bridge, a new lift bridge, a swing bridge, and rehabilitation of the current swing bridge, which is 54 years old.

Many of those in attendance said the public hearing was for show, and that the state would ultimately do as it pleases. The option of a fixed bridge is unpopular, because with a clearance of 12 feet, the Songo River Queen II and other larger boats would not be able to pass between Long Lake and Brandy Pond.

“I have a feeling that the numbers are stacked for a fixed bridge,” said Ray Turner, a Bridgton resident who has used Naples waterways since 1954.

But Wentworth insists the numbers are the most accurate his department could come up with for the meeting.

“I don’t believe that’s true. We’re going to put the best numbers we have on the board,” said Wentworth.

Bruce Van Note, a deputy commissioner for MDOT, and Wentworth admitted that from the state’s point of view, a fixed bridge makes the most sense, since it is the least expensive and offers the most longevity.

Also, since the state has set aside $11 million for the project, Van Note said the extra $5 million may be used for other projects to update the causeway area, as well as to help fund projects in other Maine communities.

“It’s got to be what is best for the people of Maine in general,” said Wentworth.

Naples residents did not always agree with the sentiment.

“Are we more concerned about the economic impact to the state department, or to the people in this room? Because that’s what I’m concerned with,” said Tim Hamilton.

At last week’s meeting, the potential for building a new lift bridge had already been all but ruled out. Originally, the state estimated it would cost $11 million, but that figure was based on a preliminary estimate. Van Note said that in the “final design phase” they discovered a lift bridge would cost $18 million, an amount that Wentworth has said is too high.

A swing bridge was favored Wednesday night, but at $14.5 million, the MDOT has been tentative about that option as well.

A review of the condition of Maine’s bridges after the collapse of a bridge in Minneapolis, Minn., in August 2007 has led to state recommendations to double the amount of annual state spending for bridge repair but also to double the number of bridges to be repaired each year.

Wentworth said the state has not figured out a way to set aside an additional $3.5 million for a swing bridge, but that it would certainly be easier to allocate $14.5 million than to spend $18 million on a lift bridge. And, given the unpopularity of a fixed bridge among Naples residents, Wentworth added that trying to make the swing bridge option work is possible.

Next to a swing bridge, rehabilitation of the current bridge seemed most popular during the hearing. But at $8 million, rehabilitation is more expensive than a new fixed bridge, because the electrical and mechanical systems need repair. Early this week, Wentworth said that rehabilitation, along with a new lift bridge, are probably not going to happen, because of the costs.

“This waterway cannot be changed folks. You’ve got to stand up to these people,” said Dan Allen, a marina owner who stood facing the crowd as he held up for display a steamboat passing through the causeway bridge more than a century ago.

For his impassioned remarks, Allen received a round of applause. But Nathan Allen, who grew up in Naples and lives in Casco, was unmoved.

“Since when do the needs of a few outweigh the needs of many?” said Allen.

Nathan Allen said a fixed bridge is the most economic, and would ease heavy congestion on Route 302 in the summer months. He said the travelers on the road waste gas by idling when the bridge opens up.

“Cars aren’t going away. Boats are recreation. People are just going to have to buy smaller boats. I can’t believe the ignorance of some of the people of Naples,” said Allen.

After the meeting, Van Note said the ultimate decision is in the hands of Maine Transportation Commissioner David Cole, but that MDOT officials would take input from the Legislature’s Transportation Committee, of which Rep. Rich Cebra (R-Naples) is a member.

“We should get the best for the tax dollars we’re spending,” said Cebra. “I want us to build a bridge that keeps the economic activity alive and doesn’t harm the economic activity.”