The Joshua Chamberlain Bridge, a key connector between Bangor and Brewer, will shift to one-way traffic for nearly six months in 2026 as the Maine Department of Transportation carries out major structural repairs.
According to newly released plans, drivers will only be able to travel from Brewer to Bangor during construction. For travel in the opposite direction, motorists will be diverted to the Penobscot River Bridge, which carries State Street between the two cities.
Construction is expected to begin in May 2026 and finish by October, marking the most significant repair work on the bridge in over a decade. The bridge carries both vehicle traffic and pedestrians over the Penobscot River and connects Union and Wilson streets.
The Maine DOT estimates that nearly $5 million worth of work is needed to address structural deterioration, including repairing multiple concrete piers, replacing bridge joints, and repaving the roadway. In addition to traffic restrictions, the project will temporarily affect riverside pedestrian routes.
Planning documents state:
The project plans were posted online as an on-demand meeting, which is the typical procedure unless a community requests an in-person session. So far, no such requests have been made, according to Maine DOT spokesperson Brittany Roberts.
The DOT presentation will stay open for public comments until Dec. 12.
The bridge’s repair cost has significantly increased from earlier projections. Originally priced at $1.5 million in 2022, the work was expected to require only minor substructure repairs. After reinspection, DOT engineers concluded that separate pier work was also needed, forcing costs to climb.
Michael Wight, senior project manager for Maine DOT, said additional inspections showed that the substructure required a dedicated project to address wear and deterioration.
Bridge plans indicate that while surface work and joint repairs will be handled in 2026, substructure repairs will continue into 2027, ensuring the bridge remains durable for years to come.
To keep vehicles moving during construction, DOT plans to modify traffic patterns on nearby roads. The detour plan includes:
These adjustments aim to maintain traffic flow despite lane restrictions. The Joshua Chamberlain Bridge — frequently used by commuters, pedestrians, and event participants such as runners crossing during Brewer’s annual Walter Hunt 4th of July Race — carries a steady volume of daily use and cannot fully close without significant regional disruption.
Originally reported by Kasey Turman in Bangor Daily News.
