FALMOUTH — A $3 million project to replace the Lunt Road bridge is on track to begin in the spring of 2019, according to the Maine Department of Transportation.

A public forum to discuss the project was held Tuesday, but prior to the meeting Ted Talbot, spokesman for MDOT, said the goal is a total replacement of the bridge, including approximately 600 feet of approach work.

The bridge carries Lunt Road traffic over Interstate 295 and is considered to be a major connector to Route 1. It was built in the 1960s, Talbot said, and is deteriorating.

“The load-carrying capacity of the existing bridge was not designed for modern-day loading,” he said. “In addition, the concrete deck is deteriorating and in need of repairs. The existing structure also provides relatively low vertical clearance over I-295, (which) is evidenced by damage to the steel girders from vehicle strikes.

Talbot said a new bridge will help address those issues, and provide wider shoulders and a sidewalk for safer use by pedestrians and cyclists.

He said the DOT wants to build the new bridge in phases to maintain at least one lane of travel on Lunt Road throughout construction. The alternating one-way will be controlled by temporary traffic signals.

Talbot said the project would also likely require “several full closures of I-295 to allow for the safe removal of existing steel beams and installation of new steel girders.”

He said that work will be performed during a limited number of brief work windows, between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.

During these anticipated closures, traffic will be detoured around the project site to Route 1 and “advance notice will be provided about any work activities that may impact the traveling public,” he said.

Anyone with questions or concerns or who wants more information should contact Joel Kittredge at 624-3550 or joel.kittredge@maine.gov.

The Lunt Road bridge carries traffic over Interstate 295 in Falmouth. It’s scheduled for a full replacement starting next year.