Coronavirus-related complications continue to delay Barters Island Bridge’s reopening. Pre-COVID-19, the $8.2 million renovation project was scheduled for completion in May 2020, but the pandemic shut the project down in March to what Maine Department of Transportation officials predicted would be an Aug. 18 completion date. But now, it looks like more coronavirus-related days will result in a post-Indigenous People’s (formerly Columbus) Day reopening. 

“I am still waiting on an updated schedule from the contractor, but I expect the revised schedule will reflect the new opening date will be mid to late October,” said Project Manager Glenn Philbrick. “Carryover effects of COVID from manufacturers continue to cause the delay.”

In March, due to the coronavirus, the project was delayed when Reed & Reed Construction could not receive materials for renovating the 110-foot long, 27-foot wide and 100-ton bridge. 

The project began in May 2019 with prep and utility work followed by construction in June. Reed & Reed constructed a temporary bridge to handle one-way traffic during the new bridge’s construction. The original bridge was built in 1931. For the past 89 years, it was turned manually, but those days are over. The new bridge is automated. It also includes a new swing span increasing its length curb to curb from 20 to 27 feet. Work will also replace the bridge’s center spear pier.