State seeking private contractor to operate Casco Bay Bridge
The Maine Department of Transportation is seeking bids from a private contractor to operate and maintain the Casco Bay Bridge between Portland and South Portland.
The Portland Press Herald reported that department spokesman, Ted Talbot, said the state is looking to contract out the operation to save money. He told the paper that the department would rather stick with its core mission and priorities, including snowplowing and road work, than continue maintaining the bridge.
“The more we can privatize things that are not our core activities, we will be looking to do that kind of thing,” he told the paper.
The department posted the notice Wednesday, and bids are due Nov. 18. It would be the first time the state has privatized bridge operations and maintenance, the paper reported.
The Press Herald didn’t report how much the state is expecting to save. Talbot didn’t have figures available for the annual cost of maintaining the bridge, the paper reported.
About 32,000 vehicles cross the bridge every day.
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