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New Bridge Road bridge construction to start in 2019

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Once again, a bridge could span the Northeast Channel in about three years. (Lebanon Voice file photo)

After almost four years of uncertainty and inertia, firm dates have finally been set for the replacement of the New Bridge Road bridge that formerly connected Lebanon and Milton.

The replacement span is budgeted for construction during the fiscal year that runs from July 2019 to June 2020, according to engineer Nancy Mayville of the New Hampshire Department of Transportation, which will oversee construction on the multi-span bridge.

Mayville, in an exclusive interview with The Lebanon Voice on Monday, said DOT managers from both states met last week and decided that unlike the Garage Way Bridge in downtown Milton which was spearheaded by Maine, New Hampshire would take the lead this time.

"It's not unusual," Mayville said. "We go back and forth on who takes the lead in construction."

Mayville said the next step is to do the design work, which could be done by NH DOT or could be farmed out to an outside firm.

Under a funding formula in place in both states, Maine is expected to pay for half the cost, while New Hampshire and Milton will share the costs of their half, with the state paying 80 percent and Milton paying 20 percent.

Mayville, however, pointed out on Monday that there had been some talk regarding possible partial funding by Lebanon as well. Lebanon selectmen were not immediately available to comment.

For his part, Milton Selectman Andrew Rawson today hailed the news that the bridge so vital to residents in both towns would finally be replaced.

"It's exciting news, especially for people to get back and forth to Maine," he said.

Rawson also said getting the bridge back is a public safety issue.

"We've talked about safety issues, if we have to give you (Lebanon) aid, it takes 10 minutes longer to get over there now," Rawson said.

With Milton Fire and Rescue building its stationhouse so close to Townhouse Road, folks living in the New Bridge Road areas of West Lebanon will likely benefit greatly on mutual response times when the replacement span is finally completed.

The cost to construct a two-lane bridge two years ago had been put at about $1.4 million, however, that cost could have gone up slightly, officials agree.

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