The repairs to the Powder Point Bridge have gotten a slower start than town officials hoped but they should be progressing soon.

Interim Town Manager Richard MacDonald said Monday that the contractor hired to wrap twelve deteriorated piles under the bridge had not been at the site when anticipated. However, he said, the contractor was there this week and can begin working if there is a break in the cold weather.

The town received an emergency order from the state to repair piles on the bridge that have deteriorated so badly that MacDonald ordered the 25-year old wooden bridge closed to vehicles last fall.

Town officials knew the bridge was in need of repair and at the last annual town meeting residents approved $2.4 million for the entire bridge repair project.

The emergency repairs will take the form of fiberglass jackets that will wrap the twelve deteriorated piles. However, for the fiberglass jackets to be installed, the weather must be above 40 degrees and there must be no ice on the piles.

MacDonald recognizes the need to reopen the bridge to vehicle traffic both for emergency vehicle access and for the upcoming summer season.