Press Release/Town of Wells/Drakes Island Road Bridge Replacement Project
Release Date: July 12, 2022
Planning begins for replacement of Drakes Island Road Bridge
The Town of Wells has hired an engineering firm to help the community determine what a replacement for the Drakes Island Road Bridge could look like. The 84-year old bridge is nearing the end of its useful life, and the Town is asking community members to participate in a public informational meeting on Wednesday, July 27 at 6 pm at the Wells Town Office - and online via Zoom. The meeting is open to the entire town.
The meeting will feature an overview of the bridge planning and design process and timing, as well as information about the engineering and environmental challenges of replacing this bridge.
Wells Public Works Director Carol Murray emphasized that Drakes Island, while home to a growing year-round community, is also a destination for many other Wells residents and visitors. “We would like to hear from everyone regarding their thoughts and expectations for a new bridge,” she said.
The online link for the Zoom meeting can be found on the town website Calendar at: www.wellstown.org/calendar and those who participate via Zoom will have the opportunity to comment and ask questions in real time, along with those who are attending the meeting at the Town Office.
Murray added, “The Town’s goal is to create a strong program to protect the surrounding river and marsh environment - and of course to provide a better long-term connection to Drakes Island for the community.” Partners for this cooperative project include the Drakes Island community, US Fish & Wildlife, Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, Wells Reserve, and Maine DEP, among others.
Several Drakes Island residents are part of the communication planning group for the bridge replacement and have helped represent initial concerns of the Drakes Island community and project abutters. The Town has created a page on the town website: www.wellstown.org/1024 to post ongoing information and make it easy for the public to ask questions and make comments throughout the project.
Bridge construction is not expected to begin any earlier than late in 2024.