The Winslow Town Council voted 4-1 on Monday to fund long-delayed repairs to the Cedar Fork bridge on Old Mill Road, ending a debate that has stretched across two budget cycles. Work is expected to begin after the county fair and wrap before the first hard freeze.
The single span, built in 1961, has carried a weight limit since a 2024 inspection flagged corrosion in the deck supports. That limit has forced farm trucks and the school bus for the north route onto a detour that adds nearly seven miles each way.
What the money covers
The 480,000-dollar package pairs town reserves with a state small-bridge grant. According to the approved scope, the project includes:
- Full deck replacement and new expansion joints
- Repair of the two concrete piers and repainting of the steel beams
- New guardrails and reflective signage on both approaches
- A temporary one-lane signal during construction
The lone no vote came from the council member representing the west ward, who argued the town should have bundled the bridge with resurfacing on Old Mill Road to save on mobilization costs. Public works staff said the grant terms did not allow the two projects to be combined.
Residents along the detour route welcomed the decision. Several told the Record they have been driving the extra miles since last spring and worried the crossing would be closed entirely before repairs were funded.
Related: Town Hall · New home-business zoning rules
Further reading: About bridges
