Busy Central Maine Bridge Closes to ALL Traffic January 2025

Well, it's official. The most inconvenient part of the Ticonic Bridge closure is here now.

According to an article published by the Kennebec Journal, the bridge is closed to all traffic in both directions effective January 6, 2025.

The article goes on to explain that the project, estimated to cost nearly $53 million, will take about six more months before traffic is allowed back across the bridge.

Until then, commuters are left with a couple of other options.

Drivers can either utilize the much larger Carter Memorial Bridge that connects Winslow to Waterville, or drivers can go out to Benton and cross into Fairfield before heading south back to Waterville.

B98.5 reported that the extensive project isn't expected to be fully completed until late in 2026 or even the beginning of 2027.

It's pretty wild just how much work goes into bridge repair/replacement.

While we certainly understand that a major bridge closure can be super-inconvenient, it's important to remember just how much work actually goes into a bridge repair/replacement.

In the beginning stages, there are often months to sometimes years of planning that go into it. After that, the funding must be secured before the teams to do the work can even be assembled. And, as you might imagine, replacing a large structure over water is no easy task.

It takes dozens of workers, loads of equipment including cranes and other large machines, but most importantly, it takes the patience of the commuting public as the construction teams battle the Maine weather to get the project done.

In the meantime, folks can literally watch the project live by checking out the Ticonic live cam!