The 75-foot, two-lane span, under construction since December, replaces a 45-foot one-lane bridge that restricted river flow and had dangerously low-visibility approaches from both sides.
Great Hill Road, the next-to-last South Berwick road to be fully paved, has seen increased traffic flow as a number of houses have been built on it and nearby Rodier Rd. This brought attention to the former bridge deficiencies despite the road remaining of limited value as a through route. Bicycle traffic also increased after the road became part of the temporary Eastern Trail bicycle route due to ongoing difficulties with bridging and trail quality on the preferred former Eastern Railroad route.
Time will tell if residents' concerns about faster traffic will be realized. A promised 30-mph posting is not yet present.
Sightlines to the new bridge are significantly better than the old due to its greater width and length.
Attractive chunks of granite brace its southeast side.
The wider channel between the new bridge's piers allows the Great Works to flow at its typical languid rate.
The one-lane bridge and its quirks will be missed, but the newness in relative emptiness has its own attraction. As an added bonus, a spilled something on the SW side of the bridge allows passers-by to play Name That Splotch.
A melting Pac-man ghost? Sighted stormcloud? We report, you decide.
1 comment:
Demon octopus!! Clearly... :)
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