The Ticonic Bridge between Waterville and Winslow will be closed to all traffic from Aug. 6 through Aug. 12 as part of ongoing work to replace the span.

The bridge, which carries Routes 137 and 201 over the Kennebec River, is more than 100 years old and is near the end of its useful life, according to the Maine Department of Transportation.

During the closure, traffic will be detoured south to the Carter Memorial Bridge and pedestrians will be directed to the Two Cent Bridge.

“We understand that these detours are disruptive,” the department wrote in a press release. “We thank the travelling public for their patience and understanding while we work on this important project.”

On Aug. 12, eastbound traffic will be allowed back on the bridge, but westbound traffic will be prohibited for about three years.

The $53 million project is necessary because the current bridge’s concrete arches date to the early 1900s when the bridge carried a trolley line, according to department. Since then, sections were replaced in 1936 after a flood and the bridge was widened in 1970.

“Further attempts to repair or rehabilitate it will not restore the full integrity of the bridge to meet modern safety needs,” according to the department.

The new bridge will be made of steel girders with a concrete bridge deck and will carry five lanes of traffic. It will have sidewalks on both sides and is designed to match other recent improvement projects completed by the city and Colby College.

The new bridge is scheduled to open in September 2026.