BRUNSWICK/TOPSHAM — The Maine Department of Transportation will be posting new weight restrictions on the Frank J. Wood Bridge on Monday, October 25. The bridge, which carries Route 201 between Brunswick and Topsham, will remain open to two-way traffic but will be limited to vehicles that weigh no more than ten tons.

This new restriction means vehicles in excess of 20,000 pounds - including fire engines, school buses, and box trucks will be prohibited from using the bridge, according to MDOT, in a news release. Overweight vehicles will be able to use the Route 1 Bypass as a detour route.

This new posting is the result of the inspection that happened in mid-September. That inspection found severe section loss on the 90-year-old bridge. There is currently a 25-ton weight limit on the Frank J. Wood Bridge. MaineDOT bridge engineers met last week to discuss the findings of this latest inspection. These engineers determined that, in the interest of preserving public safety, the weight limit needs to be lowered. The department has already notified municipal officials in Brunswick and Topsham.

The Frank J. Wood Bridge is a fracture critical bridge. The Federal Highway Administration requires inspections of fracture critical bridges at least every two years. Based on the findings of this recent inspection, MaineDOT engineers will begin inspecting the Frank J. Wood Bridge every six months.

The structure is scheduled to be replaced. The construction contract is scheduled to go out to bid as soon as practicable, according to MDOT.