Repairs on the Swinging Bridge have begun! The bridge is currently closed to foot traffic and will open no later than December 16, so this year’s round of repairs can be completed. For this update, we’d like to give you a tour of the bridge repairs to see just how your contributions are helping this Maine landmark thrive. |
Of the most concern is the Brunswick tower--noted as being in poor condition--the double channels at the base of the downstream tower have dirt and debris causing rust with a number of worn rivet heads, with a noticeable deflection of the channel webs. The lacing bars in the horizontal bracing members are rusted and broken, and the easterly inclined column has a deformed flange. The lacing bars in the horizontal bracing members have rusted and broken, and the diagonal bracing members have been cut and spliced with steel plates on a previous repair. |
The condition of the deck was noticed to be satisfactory, though there are numerous boards which are split, warped, and/or springy underfoot, with multiple fasteners that need replacement or adjusting. Luckily, as we wrote last time, Hammond Lumber has generously donated the wood necessary to fix the span. The bridge rail is in good condition, and while there is some surface rust the rail posts and fence don’t appear to be deteriorating. |
The main cables, suspenders, secondary cables, and their connections were considered to be in fair condition. The main cables show some paint failure and corrosion, and several wires have broken along the main cables. The secondary cables are slack to the touch and kinked at several places along the main cables, where they’re attached to the suspenders with wire rope clamps. |
The abutments and anchor vaults are in fair condition, with cracks in the concrete and debris and sand in the vaults, which needs to be cleaned to keep the steel hardware inside dry. The longitudinal stringers are in good condition with no decay, and the transverse floorbeams are likewise in good condition, though physical inspection showed there to be some surface rust.