Penobscot Narrows Bridge to Close on Sunday

Prospect/Verona, Maine - The Penobscot Narrows Bridge will be closed on Sunday, January 5th mid-day (between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.) to let air temperatures melt the remaining ice off of the bridge cables and pylons. Last Sunday, the bridge closed due to the unique weather conditions that caused ice to drop from the cable stay bridge onto the road way, damaging traveling vehicles. Due to freezing temperatures, ice has remained on the bridge so the bridge re-opened, and has remained open, since Monday, December 30th.

The bridge will be closed throughout the day Sunday. Motorists will need to seek alternate routes and use either Route 15 or Route 1 A to Brewer. MaineDOT personnel will be on site throughout the day and will re-open the bridge as soon as it is safe for the traveling public. . If enough ice has melted, it is possible the Penobscot Narrows Bridge could open to all traffic by Sunday evening.

If needed, crews will evaluate the bridge at first light on Monday, January 6th. In this case, commuters who use the bridge before 8 a.m. should seek an alternate route. "We realize this is inconvenient for motorists, but public safety is our top priority and we need to ensure that this unusual icing condition has been resolved," according to Joyce Taylor, Chief Engineer for MaineDOT.

To keep up to date on the latest information and maps of alternate routes, log on to www.mainedot.gov or the MaineDOT Facebook page.