A historic covered bridge in Maine is closed after an “overweight dump truck” fell through, creating a gaping hole, officials said.
This incident occurred at Babb’s Bridge, which gracefully arches over the Presumpscot River, connecting Gorham and Windham. The Maine Department of Transportation (DOT) promptly announced on Facebook that the bridge is expected to remain closed for several months due to the damage.
The Gorham Police Department, recognizing the potential for confusion among locals, shared striking images of the accident on social media, urging motorists to seek alternate routes.
“The excessive weight of the vehicle caused the wooden floor of the bridge structure to give way,” stated the police department in their Facebook update, underscoring the severity of the situation.
“The driver should be made to pay for repairing the bridge; it was not designed for large commercial vehicles,” commented a concerned local on the police department’s post, reflecting a sentiment shared by many who value the bridge’s historical significance.
MaineDOT revealed that Babb’s Bridge is the oldest of its kind in the state, having originally been erected in 1840. It was designed with a strict weight limit of three tons. However, the police indicated that the dump truck, laden with crushed gravel, surpasses this limit by “several times,” showcasing a stark disregard for safety regulations.
It was reported that the truck entered the bridge from the Gorham side, tragically falling through the first panel of the bridge deck, plunging into the river below.
The single-lane structure, which is state-owned, traditionally accommodates about 360 vehicles each day, making this incident particularly impactful for daily commuters.
Babb’s Bridge has faced challenges before. In 1973, it fell victim to arson by vandals, leading to a meticulous reconstruction that opened to the public in 1976. The heritage of this wooden marvel faced further attacks in 2014 when vandals cut holes in the roof, and again in 2015, when a snowplow caused damage. Such incidents tarnish the bridge’s legacy but also reveal the community’s resilience and commitment to preserving local history.
Regular inspections are mandated by state officials, with the most recent check-up completed just last month, reminding the public of the bridge’s continued importance. The weight limit has stood firm since its posting in 1983, a point of reference that now feels urgently relevant.
The truck driver, identified as Joshua Polewarzyk, 37, of Limington, was operating a Ford F750 at the time of the accident. Fortunately, he managed to exit the vehicle and sustained only minor injuries. In a peculiar twist of fate, the logo of The Driveway Guys, a local asphalt contractor, was visible on the truck’s side as it was retrieved from the river—a reminder that both misfortune and identity are easily borne by our local landscape.
“The last time this bridge was damaged, they considered closing it to vehicles and only allowing pedestrian traffic,” reflected one local resident in response to the police department’s post. “I hope this doesn’t push that agenda again. This is about a mile from my house, and I go this way about 60% of the time.” His words encapsulate the tension between preserving history and modern community needs, a reminder that the paths we cherish can quickly change.
