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Androscoggin Swinging Bridge
Save Our Swinging Bridge.Org

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q. Why did we restore this bridge? 

  • To restore this historic connection between Brunswick and Topsham and to protect a valuable historic asset in the community. 
  • To improve and promote access to the bridge with civic improvements in both Brunswick and Topsham.
  • To facilitate pedestrian and bicycle movement between the towns by improving the safety of the bridge.
  • To allow Topsham and Brunswick residents to use the bridge to travel (by bicycle, running or walking) the loop of trails and sidewalks for health or transportation.
  • To provide access to the river views which are an important part of the gateway to Southern Midcoast Maine.
  • To recognize the valuable link between towns the bridge has provided for over 100 years and to recognize the significance of a local engineering project designed by the firm of John A. Roebling’s Sons Company (designers/builders of the Brooklyn Bridge)

Q. Who are the people and organizations who have worked on this project?

  • Swinging Bridge Fund Committee
  • Brunswick Rotary Club
  • Rotary Club of Topsham Expresso
  • Maine Department of Transportation
  • Town of Brunswick
  • Town of Topsham
  • Midcoast Council for Planning and Development

Q. What did it cost and what was the source of the funding?

Total cost: $710,000 by finish of project. The plan was that eighty percent from Federal Enhancement Grant and 20 percent locally fundraised money. The project received:
  • $228,000 in Federal Transportation Enhancement funds
  • $76,000 in bonds from the State of Maine
  • Capital Campaign: $150,000 from the communities of Brunswick and Topsham, raised entirely from private sector.
  • Cost estimates provided by engineers have raised the expected project costs to $520,000.
  • Parks were not considered part of project. Local committee raised funds to design and install parks.
  • As the price was adjusted upwards the committee raised more money and the Maine Department of Transportation allocated more funds. The total raised was over $610,000.   


Q. How long have people been working on this project?
  • 1999: Brunswick & Topsham commissioned a study of the feasibility to restore the bridge.
  • 2000: Brunswick & Topsham Engineering Study Report of the Androscoggin Pedestrian Bridge completed
  • April 2002: Joint committee formed to explore restoration and funding
  • August 2002: Committee submits report to Towns
  • April 2003: Project receives $304,000 from Federal Enhancement Grant Funds through Maine Department of Transportation

Q.  When was the rehabilitation project completed?
A. Timeline for the project is below:
  • May 2003: Leadership fundraising campaign starts
  • May 2003: Community Capital Campaign starts
  • January 2004:  Placed on the National Register of Historic Places 
  • Spring 2005: Estimated restoration work begins Revised Dates
  • November 2005: Estimated completion and opening to the public. Revised Dates
  • December 2006: Open to the public
  • Summer 2007: Park-like entrances will be completed
  • September 8, 2007 Grand Re-opening and Dedication
  • May 19, 2011 Maine Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) dedicated the bridge as a Maine historical civil engineering landmark

Q. Are donations tax deductible?

Donations to the Swinging Bridge Fund are tax deductible.
Our Federal Tax Identification Number is 26-2841417
Please make checks payable to: Save Our Swinging Bridge.Org
Our mailing address is:
2 Main Street, Suite 707, Topsham, ME 04086

OUR ADDRESS

Save Our Swinging Bridge.Org
PO Box 353
​Topsham, ME 04086

WEBSITE

http://www.SaveOurBridge.com

MESSAGES

Phone: 207-837-6188 
msg only (all volunteer organization)
Fax: 207-729-4600