BRUNSWICK

The Topsham-Brunswick bridge Design Advisory Committee met Wednesday to discuss aesthetics in any potential replacement for the Frank J. Wood Bridge.

Chip Wesley from Phippsburg suggested the towns keep the existing bridge and build a stripped-down but sturdy replacement downstream of what’s colloquially known as “the green bridge.”

Wesley reasoned the original bridge could be utilized for pedestrian and bicycle traffic — providing possibilities of landscaping and even businesses on the old structure while providing a plain, concrete version for vehicular traffic.

Although committee chairman Bruce Van Note said the Maine Department of Transportation may not want to entertain the idea of adding an extra bridge to its list to care for, the idea did spark discussion over artful uses — both desirable and destructive, of bridge abutments.

Ann Carol expressed concerns over graffiti on any new abutments, asking if there was a particular color or pattern available to discourage such vandalism.

Van Note said there are textures that make targets less attractive to tagging. He added these measures are also affordable deterrents.

Auburn example

A more proactive approach — putting artwork up on the abutments was mentioned. The art installations along South Main Street in Auburn was used as an example.

The Auburn wall was once a constant target of graffiti until recent years, when the city used prints from local artists to adorn a retaining wall, virtually eliminating the problem. The artwork is replaced in cycles and remains illuminated at night.

Doug Bennett and Natasha Goldman took the concept further, with the idea of smartphone scannable points of interest in the bridge area that will provide historic perspective, possibly adding elements from the original bridge in the design.

Bennett and Goldman volunteered to look into the feasibility of such a project.

The committee’s next meeting will be on Oct. 12 in Brunswick and will focus on Water Street and Maine Street businesses on both sides of the bridge.

dmcintire@timesrecord.com

• THE COMMITTEE’S next meeting will be on Oct. 12 in Brunswick and will focus on Water Street and Maine Street businesses on both sides of the bridge.