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V O L . X X V N O. X V I I I A U G U S T 1 9 , 2 0 1 9 24 G R E AT E R B A N G O R / N O R T H E R N M A I N E F O C U S » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E Building a new bridge between Maine and Canada M A D A W A S K A — After nearly a century of wear and tear, the Madawaska- Edmundston International Bridge over the St. John River will be dismantled to make way for a new one. It was built in 1920 to replace a cable ferry. While the $74 million bridge replacement project is to be advertised in the fourth quarter of 2020, the Maine Department of Transportation says that physical construction may not start until 2021. The project will be funded in part by a $36 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded in late July. In early August, Maine DOT spokesman Paul Merrill told Mainebiz that officials are still talking with counterparts in Canada about how to split the remaining $38 million. The 942-foot-long bridge serves as a vital link to Canada for Maine companies including Twin Rivers Paper Co. Officials decided to replace the structure after experts concluded that an upgrade would cost more than building a new one. In 2017, the bridge was deemed "fracture critical" with numerous deterio- rating support beams, decking and sub- structures. Since then, Maine and New Brunswick officials have limited bridge traffic to vehicles less than 5 tons, which excludes most commercial trucks. The weight limit and temporary closures of the bridge have forced many resi- dents and businesses to make long detours. Twin Rivers Paper Co., one of the largest employers in northern Maine, "has had to reroute large trucks through Van Buren, adding up to 75 miles and nearly two hours of travel time round-trip as well as incurring millions of dollars in increased transportation costs," U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said in a news release. "This award represents a significant leap forward in our work to build a new, more-modern link between Madawaska and Edmundston, New Brunswick," said MaineDOT Commissioner Bruce Van Note in a statement. On its website, MDOT gives a construction start date estimate of 2021 and lists Maine construction firms Reed & Reed Inc. and Cianbro, along with Caldwell & Ross of Fredericton, New Brunswick, as prequalified contractors that will be allowed to bid on the project. Renee Cordes, Mainebiz senior writer, can be reached at rcordes @ mainebiz.biz FOLLOW US @MBEVENTS #OTR2020 KE N N E BUN K S PORTLAND E LL SWOR T H BAT H/BRUN SWIC K WAT E RVILLE M ILLIN O C KE T For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Publisher Donna Brassard at dbrassard@mainebiz.biz or 207.261.8379 x327 It's your choice! Here is your chance to tell Mainebiz where to go! Nominate your city or town to be one of the six stops we make in our 2020 On the Road reception series. 2019 LOCATIONS NOMINATIONS CLOSE SEPTEMBER 20! The winning location will be announced at the end of September. Submit your nomination at mainebiz.biz/OTR2020 1 All Jumbo Certificates require minimum $100,000 deposit to open. Rates are effective as of 3/1/2019 and are subject to change without notice. Dividends will be compounded and credited monthly. Penalty will be imposed if funds are withdrawn prior to maturity on all Jumbo Certificates. Certificates renew automatically at date of maturity unless otherwise requested. The Credit Union will provide at least 30 days' notice prior to maturity. 2 Annual Percentage Yield. Federally Insured by NCUA Call us at 207-947-0374 to begin investing in yourself now! Learn more at bangorfederal.com/rates Fall In Love With Our Rates Jumbo Certificate Term 1 Dividend Rate APY 2 6 MONTHS 1.90% 1.92% 1 YEAR 2.20% 2.22% 18 MONTHS 2.40% 2.43% 2 YEARS 2.50% 2.53% 3 YEARS 2.70% 2.73% 4 YEARS 2.90% 2.94% 5 YEARS 3.10% 3.14% This award represents a significant leap forward in our work to build a new, more-modern link between Madawaska and Edmundston, New Brunswick. — Bruce Van Note MaineDOT Commissioner HNTB Corp. inspectors at work on the Madawaska-Edmunston International Bridge, which will be replaced at a cost of $74 million. P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F M D O T

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