A recent hearing conducted by the Maine Department of Transportation on the viability of a new, fixed bridge proposal struck fear in the hearts of several business people in the Naples area.

The old swing bridge that spans the waterway that joins Long Lake to Brandy Pond needs replacing. An original estimate of $11 million to replace it had been seen as "doable", but now that cost estimate has ballooned to $18 million - an amount the state doesn't have.  A proposal for a fixed bridge, at a cost of $8 million, would fit the DOT budget, but has many critics and detractors in the Lakes Region area.

Local marina owners, the owner of the Songo River Queen, and other area business people all voiced their concerns at the recent hearing citing history, local economics, and image as reasons for not favoring the fixed bridge route.

A fixed bridge would limit the amount of boat traffic that could navigate the full extent of the 45 mile waterway that connects Harrison, in the north, with Standish, in the south. Boaters have travelled that distance - by way of Long Lake, Brandy Pond, the Songo River, through the Songo Lock, then into Sebago Lake - since 1830.

You can read the full text of the article here, then stay tuned for new reports as this story develops.