LEWISTON — The road to Simard-Payne Memorial Park will soon become a little smoother.

Not to mention wider and more pleasing to the eye.

Starting Wednesday, crews will begin a three-month project to replace the deteriorated, single-lane Beech Street Bridge over the canal.

The 53-foot span will be replaced with a two-lane bridge with a concrete deck.

It will be a prefabricated truss bridge designed to match the former train trestle on the other side of the park, as recommended by the Historic Preservation Review Board, according to a city news release.

The bridge is being manufactured in Alabama by Contech to be delivered in pieces and assembled on site. It will be set in place with a large crane in one piece, according to the release.

The functional and aesthetic appeal of the new bridge, scheduled to be open by New Year’s Eve, should be apparent at once.

“This project is a huge step toward future improvements to Simard-Payne Park, allowing for expanded activities and events,” according to the release. “It also provides proper access for trucks, cars and emergency vehicles to access the mill at 35 Beech St. and the future Museum L-A.”

Which is not to say the project will be without its inconveniences.

Until the end of December there will be disruptions to Oxford Street and access to Simard-Payne Park, city officials advise. Oxford Street between Chestnut and Cross streets will be closed to traffic for the three months.

A temporary vehicle access to the park for passenger cars only will be installed over the pedestrian bridge on Oxford Street with vehicles allowed to enter from the Cross Street side, according to the news release. During this period, electrical and water service to the park will also be cut off affecting the path lighting.

The one-lane Beech Street bridge to Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston, shown in the background in March 2018, is being replaced with a prefabricated two-lane span starting Wednesday. (Sun Journal  file photo)