Maine Department of Transportation stand on a portion of the under-construction Stillwater Bridge in Old Town after it collapsed on Thursday. Credit: Kasey Turman / BDN

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A bridge that was being reconstructed in Old Town collapsed Thursday afternoon.

The Maine Department of Transportation has been building a replacement for the Stillwater Bridge, which carries Stillwater Avenue over the Stillwater River. The under-construction bridge collapsed in the middle, leaving a hole down to the river below. Traffic has been crossing a temporary bridge during construction that remains intact.

The collapse happened at roughly 1:45 p.m., according to emergency radio traffic. Dozens of department workers were on the bridge before 2:30 p.m. Ambulances and fire trucks from multiple departments responded to the scene, but only one remained at that time.

It was not immediately clear what caused the collapse or how many people were injured. The transportation department did not immediately answer questions.

The public should avoid the area, which is closed from Stillwater Avenue to Bennoch Road.

Kasey Turman is a reporter covering Penobscot County. He interned for the Journal-News in his hometown of Hamilton, Ohio, before moving to Maine. He graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where...

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