The Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT) announced that the work on the Nequasset Bridge, on Route 1 in Woolwich will begin February 18, and traffic will be re-routed onto the George Wright Road.

The selectmen gave MDOT permission to use the George Wright Road, a town road, during the bridgework. In return the state will pave the George Wright Road after the work on the bridge is completed, saving the town about $100,000.

The state has agreed to pave, and stripe the center line of the road, to raise the grade of the road near the boat launch, and to put guard rails at the end of the bridge on the George Wright Road. The work will also include a deck replacement on the Nequasset Bridge, along with replacing a large culvert at the southern end of the George Wright Road.

The selectmen also asked the state to provide traffic control during the construction. It is unclear if that request will be granted. However, it is expected the speed limit on the George Wright Road will be lowered from 40 to 35 mph.

The work is expected to take about three months, and be completed before Memorial Day.

The town authorized MDOT and the Maine Department of Conservation to do the necessary work at the "Dike Boat Launch" to mitigate the flooding at the site. The two agencies have agreed to do the work at no cost to the town. The work on the dike is expected to be done at the same time the repaving of the George Wright Road is done.

MDOT is asking motorists to drive with caution since the road that is being used for a detour is a residential street with school buses and other local traffic.