As Cumberland bridge closes, locals hope for a way across
Mill Road Bridge in Cumberland to Close Indefinitely After Safety Inspection
CUMBERLAND, N. M.—A bridge that has long served as a quiet link between Blanchard Road and Gray Road over the Piscataqua River will no longer be open to vehicles, the Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT) announced this week. The closure, scheduled for the end of October, comes after a recent inspection found severe deterioration that makes the structure unsafe.
The bridge has always been a small but vital part of the local road network. With its crossing closed, each side of Mill Road becomes a dead end, forcing drivers to use Skillins Road as a detour. While the bridge remained open to vehicles weighing less than three tons until Tuesday afternoon, MDOT said it would be closed with barricades and signage shortly thereafter.
Town officials were taken aback by the announcement. Town manager Matt Sturgis said the town had not been prepared for such a sudden change and that residents were “surprised and dismayed.” “There’s a lot of homes out here, and we just feel like they’re throwing us under the bus,” 68‑year‑old resident Sarah Holman told the press.
The closure is indefinite. MDOT indicated that the bridge will not be considered for replacement under the agency’s workplan until 2029, and that, even then, it would likely be a low priority because the road carries limited traffic. Sturgis said that the town could explore a partnership with the state to share the estimated $1.5‑to‑$2 million cost, but MDOT cautioned that such a partnership would not hasten the replacement process.
Councilor Geoff Michalak, who represents West Cumberland, noted the impact on community life. “We’re severing their neighborhood in half,” he said at a local meeting. Residents expressed concerns about changes to school bus routes, plowing schedules, and the overall fabric of the area.
Not everyone agreed that a new bridge was worth the expense. Dudley Greely said, “There are higher priorities for our tax dollars. Let’s not make a community brouhaha about a teeny bridge we don’t need.” Others, however, have found the stretch of road to be more than a conduit for traffic. Many describe it as a “little state park,” walking the tree‑lined path for exercise and to visit neighbors. “We’ve asked the DOT and the town to leave it open a sidewalk’s width,” Holman said. 72‑year‑old Sue Martelle, who regularly walks the length of Mill Road, expressed hope that she could maintain her routine. “It’s such a beautiful road,” she said.
MDOT keeps all bridges in Maine under its jurisdiction, and while the agency will close bridges to all traffic—including pedestrians—stated that the town might keep the structure open to foot traffic if it assumed the related liability. Sturgis said the town is consulting its attorney and insurer to determine whether that arrangement would be financially viable.
The bridge had previously been closed in 1988 for deterioration, at which time the town replaced the superstructure. The current closure underscores the ongoing challenge of maintaining rural infrastructure in a state where the Department of Transportation prioritizes higher‑volume roads.
For now, drivers in Cumberland will need to plan for the detour, and residents will keep watching as the state and the town negotiate the future of this quiet but beloved crossing.
