DRESDEN, Maine — Maine officials are celebrating the opening of a new bridge crossing the Kennebec River that connects Dresden and Richmond.
Republican Gov. Paul LePage and Sen. Susan Collins will be on hand at the ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday.
A reception at the Pownalborough Community Center in Dresden will follow the ceremony. The bridge is expected to open to traffic Friday afternoon.
The Kennebec Journal reports that the old metal swing bridge that has been in place for almost 80 years is expected to be taken down after the new one opens.
The newspaper reports that about 80 percent of the roughly $18.6 million project is being funded by the federal government. That includes a $10.8 million federal grant that Collins helped secure. The state will cover the rest.