3 injured as Old Town bridge that’s under construction collapses into river

OLD TOWN, Maine —

Three people were injured when a bridge that is being built in Old Town collapsed into the Stillwater River, according to officials.

The Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) said that shortly after 2 p.m. Thursday, portions of the new Llewellyn Estes Bridge collapsed while a construction crew was pouring concrete for the bridge deck.

The bridge was closed to traffic as part of ongoing construction work and drivers were not impacted, according to MaineDOT.

Old Town Police Chief David White told WMTW media partner WABI that three people sustained non-life-threatening injuries as a result of the incident.

The Milford Fire and Rescue Department shared multiple photos that show the bridge collapse.

Stillwater Avenue was closed between College Avenue and Bennoch Road, but the roadway was reopened around 3 p.m., according to WABI.

“Roads are open for travel, and there’s still crews trying to clean up because it did fall into the river, so they’re going to have to figure out how to get all that stuff out,” White said. “Stay away from that section of the bridge for now. The temporary bridge is fine. You could travel on that, just stay away from the other stuff.”

A project to replace the bridge, which carries Stillwater Avenue over the Stillwater River, has been underway for years.

According to MaineDOT, Woolwich-based bridge contractor Reed & Reed, Inc. is working with the department through a construction manager/general contractor agreement to streamline design and construction activities.