LEBANON, ME / MILTON, NH (WGME) -- After a decade divided, new progress is being made on the plans to reconnect two towns on the Maine-New Hampshire border.
Back in 2012, the bridge that connected New Bridge Road in Lebanon, ME to Milton, NH was demolished after it was deemed unsafe.
While plans to replace the bridge have been in limbo in the 10 years since, this week those living on the lake that borders the two towns saw their first signs of progress.
"It's encouraging, I think it's about time," Conrad Gagnon, who's been vacationing in the area for nearly 60 years, said. "Right now you have to go all the way around. It's inconvenient."
That added time to go around, also a concern for public safety. Milton's fire department is the closest to that section of Lebanon.
"It's safety and fire hazard, too," Gagnon said. "Five minutes can make a big difference, right?"
According to the New Hampshire Department of Transportation, which has taken the lead on the bridge replacement project, survey and geotechnical work began at the site this week.
A spokesperson tells the CBS13 I-Team, the project is expected to be put out to bid for construction in 2023 and is expected to be complete by 2024. The estimated cost is around $2 million.
"It's wonderful," business owner Bill Mahoney said. "It should make it easier for us too. We have a lot of customers on that side who have to drive 20 minutes away and loop it all the way around."
Mahoney says he and his brother bought the New Bridge Marina last year, well before he knew when a new bridge would even be built.
I-Team Reporter Dan Lampariello: "Do you feel like it should have taken 10 years?"
Mahoney: "No. No."
But after years of planning between Maine, New Hampshire and local governments, Mahoney is happy to finally see things move forward.
" I'm sure they're going to do a fine job," Mahoney said. "It's going to work out good. It's going to work out good for everybody."