An arts nonprofit is planning to erect a sculpture at the entrance of the new bridge linking Brunswick and Topsham using steel from its soon-to-be dismantled predecessor.

Brunswick Public Art is accepting conceptual submissions for one or more sculptures to be permanently installed near the entrance of the new bridge, which is expected to open next year. The new Frank J. Wood bridge is under construction just upstream from the historic bridge, which was the focus of lengthy legal challenges by historic preservation groups.

Reed & Reed, the general contractor for the new bridge project, has agreed to provide BPA with steel from the 1932 bridge to be used in the public art piece. Submissions for preliminary concepts are open through July 15, when BPA will select finalists for development.

BPA treasurer Steve Weems said the organization plans on selecting around three artists from the applicant pool, who will be paid to further develop their ideas in the next stage of the project.

From there, art curators will help BPA select a final work and location, likely by the end of the year. Weems estimated that the sculpture will be installed around 2027.

Weems said the project will help preserve a piece of town history when the nearly 100-year-old bridge is gone.

“[The FJW bridge is] an iconic structure that’s coming down,” said Weems, who is also the town councilor for District 7.

Depending on the final design, Weems said, the project could cost around $100,000. The organization will begin fundraising once a final design is decided on.

The call for art from and more information on the Frank J. Wood Bridge is available on the BPA website.