The Deer Isle-Sedgwick Bridge Feasibility Study will identify the challenges and steps necessary to maintain the long-term transportation connection between Deer Isle and mainland communities. It is the first step for MaineDOT in what is likely to be a decades-long process.
MaineDOT will also begin to proactively evaluate how to fund this very significant crossing over the long term. There is no available funding at this time.
This page provides up-to-date information about MaineDOT’s ongoing efforts to ensure a safe and reliable connection between Deer Isle and the mainland. Part of this effort is the current feasibility study of the Deer Isle – Sedgwick bridge (#3257) that assesses possible new bridge types, alignments and also documents past maintenance and improvements to the bridge, as part of the long process of an eventual replacement in the future. This study will also provide opportunities for the public to provide comments through two public meetings, a virtual public engagement platform, and this webpage. For information on upcoming meetings please see “Project Status and Public Involvement” section below.
This bridge is the main point of connection for the communities of Deer Isle and Stonington to the mainland. The bridge is over 80 years old, and while projected to have a remaining service life of 20 to 25 years, and currently safe for travel, the Department of Transportation is proactively looking at future options for this connection.
This feasibility study is the first part in a long process of a potential future bridge replacement.
Background & History
A more substantial history of the bridge is being developed that includes the history of maintenance on the bridge. That will eventually be added to this page. Below is a brief history.
History of the Crossing
People have crossed the waters between Deer Isle and the mainland for thousands of years. Long before there was a bridge, Native people and later settlers used canoes, boats, and ferries to carry people and goods between the island and Sedgwick. By the 1700s, regular ferry service helped connect Deer Isle to the mainland and became an important part of life on the island. For nearly two centuries, the crossing depended on boats and ferries, until a permanent connection was finally built.
History of the Bridge
Formal ferry service between Deer Isle and the mainland began in 1806, although records show that informal ferry service was operating as early as 1792. During the Great Depression, island residents began working to replace the ferry with a permanent bridge. In the late 1920s and early 1930s, they petitioned county, state, and federal officials for support and funding. Construction began in the spring of 1938, and the Deer Isle–Sedgwick Bridge opened in 1939.
The bridge was designed by engineer David B. Steinman, who was known for his work on suspension bridges. Soon after the bridge was built, concerns about its design led to changes, including the replacement of its original shallow stiffening girder. The changes were especially important following the 1940 collapse of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, which had a similar type of design and failed because of problems with wind and movement. Tolls were collected on the Deer Isle–Sedgwick Bridge from the time it opened until 1961.
Project Status & Public Involvement
We expect to hold public meetings in the late spring of 2027 and towards the end of the study in the summer of 2028. This will include a robust outreach effort as we seek public input.
If you would like to provide a comment or ask a question, please contact our Project Manager directly.
Jarod Farn-Guillette, Project Manager
Maine Department of Transportation, Bureau of Planning
24 Child Street, 16 State House Station,
Augusta, Maine 04333-0016
Office: 207-624-3285
Cell: 207-215-9558
Email Jarod (Jarod.Farn-Guillette@maine.gov)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Will a decision be made whether to replace or rehabilitate the bridge?
This study will lay the groundwork for making that decision.
- Will bridge traffic be impacted by this feasibility study?
No, but it is possible that bridge inspections may require a few short single-lane closures during the study period. Any impacts to traffic will be communicated to the public.
- Is the bridge safe?
Yes, the bridge is safe. MaineDOT inspects the bridge every two years. Underwater inspections are done every five years. MaineDOT also performs regular maintenance to keep the bridge in good condition, and this will continue while plans are being developed for a long-term solution.
- How will local communities and the public be involved?
MaineDOT has already had conversations with affected municipalities and stakeholders. As the study progresses, we will hold public meetings both virtually and in person, starting in summer 2027.
- What will the study examine?
The study has two components. The first reviews the history of capital maintenance conducted on the bridge over the past several decades as well as recent repair history. For the public, MaineDOT will produce a StoryMap that clearly details the history of repair and maintenance conducted on the bridge, along with a technical memo to assist in future maintenance planning.
The second component looks at potential bridge types, locations, and — at a high level — long-term planning for a possible future bridge replacement. This includes planning-level cost estimates and potential funding sources.
- How can I get involved or find out more information?
Town officials from Deer Isle, Stonington, and Sedgwick are involved in the study and can help answer your questions. Alternatively, you can email questions and comments directly to our Project Manager, Jarod Farn-Guillette, whose contact information is on this page.