Eastern Trail gap bridged

The first-of-its-kind span over the Maine Turnpike completes a 6.2-mile stretch.

By Emma Bouthillette ebouthillette@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer Press Herald

KENNEBUNK - As John Andrews watched nearly 500 elementary school students cross the Eastern Trail Bridge over the Maine Turnpike during its official opening on Wednesday, all he could do was smile.

Pupils from Kennebunk Elementary School and Mildred L. Day School in Arundel cross the new Eastern Trail Bridge over the Maine Turnpike in Kennebunk on Wednesday to help mark the official opening of the span. 

Photos by Gregory Rec/Staff Photographer

Third-grade teacher Heather Keep leads some of the nearly 500 elementary school pupils crossed the new Eastern Trail bridge over the Maine Turnpike in Kennebunk on Wednesday to help dedicate the structure. John Andrews, founder of the Eastern Trail Alliance, said getting the bridge built was the “biggest challenge” for trail supporters. The bridge, solely for the use of pedestrians and cyclists, is the first of its kind spanning the turnpike.

"I'm just awestruck," said Andrews, founder of the Eastern Trail Alliance.

The bridge, solely for pedestrians and cyclists, is the first of its kind spanning the turnpike. It completes a 6.2-mile section of trail from Kennebunk to Biddeford, and Andrews called it "the biggest challenge" in building the trail.

"I'll tell you, I stand on that bridge and I really get choked up," now that it's finally complete, he said.

The $1.3 million bridge, funded by the Maine Turnpike Authority, is a key element in the alliance's mission to complete a 65-mile stretch of off-road trail from Kittery to Casco Bay.

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