River Road in Brunswick will be closed both day and night for five days beginning at 7 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 12 in order to replace a major culvert crossing the roadway.
The closure takes place just west of 436 River Road. Motorists trying to travel beyond that property will need to use Durham Road or Hacker Road to get back to River Road.
According to a release from Public Works Director John Foster, the culvert was severely damaged in August 2014 and will be replaced with a new, wide-bottom culvert to meet with fish passage requirements.
Last year, a washout at the bottom of the hill necessitated a closure and a costly temporary fix for the culvert.
Foster notes that the culvert replacement will require a 60-foot wide by 15- foot deep trench be dug for the full width of the road and bicyclists and pedestrians are advised that they will not be able to get through the work area.
Public works crews will be on site prior to Sept. 12, assembling the multi-plate replacement culvert on the side of the road near where the culvert is to be installed.
Work on the culvert replacement will be completed by Ray Labbe and Sons, Inc.
Town Manager John Eldridge said the town sought to have the work completed in August, so as to not disturb school bus routes, however, they did not receive any bids to complete the work before the start of the school year.
The permit the town received from the Army Corps of Engineers specified the work had to be completed between July 15 and Sept. 30. Eldridge said any delay at this point would put the project off for another year.
“Unfortunately, it’s a lengthy project, given the scale and what we’re required to do there,” Eldridge said. “We’re going to do the best we can to move it as quickly as we can.”
Eldridge said the town understands it is a major inconvenience to those who live around the affected area. At the urging of Councilor John Perreault, Eldridge will be ensuring adequate signage is in place to help motorists around the area.
Foster advised all residents and users of River Road to seek alternative routes to by pass the closure area.
Access to the town landfill will best be accomplished by taking Route 1 south to get to Durham Road and then to Hacker Road.
Detour signs will be placed by Sept. 12, and message boards will be in place late in the week announcing the road closure.
River Road is scheduled to reopen to all traffic on Friday, Sept. 16, by 6 p.m.
Foster encourages anyone with questions to contact public works at (207) 725- 6654.
dmcintire@timesrecord.com
Road map
• RIVER ROAD is scheduled to reopen to all traffic on Friday, Sept. 16, by 6 p.m.
• ANYONE with questions can contact Brunswick Public Works at (207) 725-6654.
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