A Route 126 bridge that normally carries nearly 1,000 vehicles a day over the West Branch Eastern River in Whitefield was closed after the road began to collapse.

Maine Department of Transportation officials closed the Kelley Brook Bridge on March 21, after determining the structure was unsafe.

The bridge was already scheduled to be replaced, although work on that project had not yet begun.

Whitefield firefighters alerted DOT officials that the condition of the road above the bridge had changed, prompting DOT officials to close the bridge.

The pavement above the bridge appears to have buckled, cracked and partially collapsed.

The 14.2-foot-long bridge is a galvanized steel culvert, classified as a bridge due to its size, and covered with pavement.

Andrew Gobeil, director of communications and creative services for the state transportation department, said corrosion had weakened segments of the 35-year-old bridge, making it unsafe.

Gobeil said a contractor was awarded that project in December 2025. Richmond-based contractor Wyman & Simpson will complete the project, which is budgeted to cost $650,000.

Gobeil said it it unknown how long the bridge will be off-limits but the original project plan allowed for a 21-day closure of the road.

Over the course of a year, the bridge averages 990 vehicle trips a day, according to state traffic count data.

The DOT’s suggested detour directs drivers coming from Pittston to take Route 226 to Route 17, to Cooper Road, and vice versa coming from Whitefield.

Hunts Meadow Road could also be an alternate shorter route around the bridge closure.

Gobeil said the DOT generally tries to detour traffic onto state roads.