16.03.26 Carlton Railroad Bridge between Bath and Woolwich

The opening of the Carlton Bridge between Bath and Woolwich in 1927 marked the beginning of a new transportation era along the coast of Maine. Train service improved greatly and long waits for automobile ferries disappeared. In Bath, the steady increase in automobile traffic caused a number of changes in the approach to the bridge. Finally, in 1959 the viaduct was completed and cars could avoid the traffic light at Washington Street. However, drivers could also avoid stopping in Bath and spending money at local stores. Many large department stores left Bath for Brunswick and Cook's Corner. Also in 1959, passenger train service on the MCRR was discontinued. The last big change in crossing the Kennebec River happened in 2000 with the opening of the Sagadahoc Bridge, which was built to end the congestion caused by increased car traffic, especially in the summer and when GD/BIW changed shifts. The Carlton Bridge continues to carry train traffic and a bridge tender operates the lift on the railroad bridge so boats may pass underneath where the vertical clearance is 135 feet.