PORTLAND, Maine - The state of Maine is receiving more than $10.5 million in federal money to help fund replacement of the bridge the connects Beals Island and the town of Beals, in Washington County, with the mainland at Jonesport.
Maine Department of Transportation spokesman Ted Talbot says the existing bridge was built in 1958.
"Like a lot of the structures throughout the state, age is becoming an issue," Talbot says. "Width - when it was built back in the 50's, the width wasn't nearly what it needs to be for today's type of vehicles, and the weight of the vehicles today."
Talbot says the total estimated cost of the bridge is $19.4 million. The balance is to be paid for with a mix of state and federal money. Talbot says construction is expected to start in February of 2017, and finish up in the spring of 2019.
The new span will be built parallel to the existing structure.