The Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) has announced the Madawaska-Edmundston International Bridge linking Madawaska, Maine and Edmundston, New Brunswick will have an immediate down-posting (weight limit) to five (5) tons beginning on Friday, October 27th.
During a recent inspection of the bridge, inspectors found significantly more steel deterioration on the floor beams and stringers than expected. With that, engineers have determined the need for the five-ton posting.
The new weight limit ensures that the bridge remains safe for passenger vehicles but restricts all commercial vehicles over five tons, including tractor trailers, box trucks, buses and fire trucks.
The bridge will require temporary strengthening to address critical repairs. MaineDOT and NB DTI (New Brunswick Department of Transportation and Infrastructure) are currently working on a plan to complete these temporary repairs as soon as possible.
Once the temporary strengthening is complete, the bridge will be evaluated to determine if the structure can provide better functionality. However, weight restrictions of some magnitude will remain in effect until a replacement bridge is complete.
US Customs & Border Protection (CBP) advises until repairs are complete, anything over 5 tons can divert to Fort Kent (where CBP will accept the ‘Permit’ for Madawaska) or to Van Buren, which is a commercial port.
Since January of 2017, Maine DOT and NB DTI have been working collaboratively with United States and Canadian Border Agencies on developing a long-term solution to replace or rehabilitate this 96-year-old bridge.
If you have any questions regarding the information presented here, feel free to contact Livingston’s US Regulatory Affairs group: [email protected].