FRANKFORT — Work has started on the replacement of Upper Bridge carrying U.S. Route 1A over Marsh Stream in Frankfort, according to the Maine Department of Transportation.

The project area begins about 150 feet west of Marsh Stream and extends east for one-tenth of a mile. The existing bridge, built during the 1920s, has only a 20-foot wide road with a five-foot wide sidewalk. This will be replaced with a longer bridge which will provide a 30-foot wide roadway and a four-foot wide sidewalk.

The new bridge will be nearly 70 feet longer than the existing bridge, allowing additional width while preserving the masonry abutments of the existing bridge. The masonry will be repointed as part of the project.

DOT will also be rebuilding 150 to 200 feet of approach highways on each side of the bridge to match the new structure. They will provide a 200-foot wide roadway with variable wide shoulders.

Phil Roberts, DOT resident engineer for the project said the work will be done in phases so that one-way traffic can be maintained during construction.

The contract, awarded to Prock Marine Co. of Rockland on a bid of $716,830, calls for completion of the project by mid-November.