Bridge repairs at Waterville may cost $40,000

WATERVILLE — City officials received an estimate of $35,000 to $40,000 to repair the Two-Cent Bridge, which was damaged in a Fourth of July rock concert that turned into a near riot and resulted in 10 arrests and one police officer injured.

The bridge spans the Kennebec River and connects Waterville and Winslow, and once served as the main route between the two municipalities. Fourth of July night, 200 people crowded onto the 87-year-old bridge, causing a rail to buckle under the weight.

In 1984, the city and state paid $100,000 to have Cianbro Inc. of Pittsfield rebuild the bridge, which had fallen into disrepair.

Cianbro also was commissioned to give an estimate for the most recent damage, as well as make the actual repairs.

Mayor David E. Bernier said he does not plan to pay for the repairs, but instead will ask organizers of the Independence Day music festival to pay the cost of repairing the structure, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.