Carlton Bridge

Postcard view c.1930s

The Carlton Bridge is a railroad vertical-lift bridge which carries one rail line over the Kennebec River between Bath and Woolwich, Maine. It was completed in 1927. Until August 1, 2000, it also carried two lanes of U.S. Route 1 (US 1) on its upper deck, after which the highway was transferred to the adjoining Sagadahoc Bridge and the road connection severed. The majority of the road deck remains but may be removed in the future. It is the last downstream fixed crossing of the Kennebec.

With the removal of US 1 from the bridge, its primary traffic is freight trains operated by the Maine Eastern Railroad that are bound for manufacturers in Thomaston, of which several pass over the bridge per week. It has also carried passenger excursion trains to Rockland, though the Maine Department of Transportation's leasing the line to another company will likely mean the end of passenger service after 2015.^[1]

Inspections

The 88-year-old bridge failed an inspection in the fall of 2013, resulting in its closure from February 23 to 25, 2014, for an in-depth inspection and load test. The in-depth inspection found that steel has been rusting away from the bridge and at least one beam needs repair. Despite the deficiencies found, MDOT has stated that the problems do not currently impair the running of trains across the bridge. No restrictions have been placed on the use of the bridge, though MDOT requests that the Maine Eastern Railroad notify it of the days trains pass over the bridge. No decisions have yet been made about how to address the deficiencies, though options include repainting the bridge, removing the remaining road deck, or even its closure.^[2]

Panoramic view of Sagadahoc Bridge, Bath, Maine, USA 2012

Panoramic view of Sagadahoc Bridge in foreground with Carlton Bridge behind, Bath, Maine, USA 2012

References

↑ "After losing state lease to competitor, railroad company leaving Maine". Bangor Daily News. September 4, 2015. |access-date= requires |url= (help)
↑ "Rail officials say rust will force decision on 88-year-old Bath bridge". Bangor Daily News. March 23, 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2015.

Crossings of the Kennebec River

Upstream
Sagadahoc Bridge

Carlton Bridge

Downstream
Atlantic Ocean

Kennebec River Watershed

Tributaries	Abagadasset River Carrabassett River Dead River East Branch Eastern River East Branch Moose River East Branch Sebasticook River Eastern River Lemon Stream Little River Moose River Moxie Falls North Branch Dead River Roach River Sandy River Sebasticook River South Branch Dead River South Branch Moose River South Branch Sandy River West Branch Carrabassett River West Branch Eastern River West Branch Moose River

Lakes	Annabessacook Lake Attean Pond Brassua Lake China Lake Cobbosseecontee Lake East Pond Embden Pond Enchanted Pond First Roach Pond Flagstaff Lake Great Moose Lake Great Pond Indian Pond Long Pond (Belgrade Lakes) Long Pond (Moose River) Maranacook Lake Messalonskee Lake Moosehead Lake Moxie Pond Narrows Pond North Pond Pleasant Pond Sebasticook Lake Spencer Lake Staples Pond Unity Pond Wood Pond Wyman Dam

Towns	Albion Anson Athens Augusta Bath Belgrade Benton Bingham Burnham Caratunk Chesterville China Clinton Corinna Detroit Dexter Embden Fairfield Farmingdale Farmington Gardiner Greenville Hallowell Harmony Hartland Jackman Kingfield Madison Manchester Monmouth Moscow New Portland New Sharon New Vineyard Newport Norridgewock Oakland Phillips Pittsfield Readfield Richmond Rockwood Rome Saint Albans Sidney Skowhegan Solon Smithfield Stratton Strong Unity Vassalboro Vienna Waterville Wilton Winslow Winthrop Woolwich

Landmarks	Mount Abraham Arnold Trail Augusta Memorial Bridge Bath Iron Works Bigelow Preserve Mount Bigelow Carlton Bridge Crocker Mountain Fort Halifax Harris Station Dam International Railway of Maine Kennebec Central Railroad Maine Kennebec Bridge Major Reuben Colburn House Pearl Harbor Remembrance Bridge Mount Redington Sagadahoc Bridge Sandy River and Rangeley Lakes Railroad Somerset and Kennebec Railroad Somerset Railroad Spaulding Mountain Sugarloaf Mountain Togus

Coordinates: 43°54′41″N 69°48′28″W / 43.9114°N 69.8079°W / 43.9114; -69.8079

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