The part of the Back Cove Trail on Tukey’s Bridge reopened to the public much earlier than expected due to an unexpected setback in Unitil’s plans to conduct natural gas pipeline maintenance.The Tukey’s Bridge section of the trail was closed to pedestrians and bicyclists on Oct. 20. The plan was to have it closed through Oct. 24, reopen for the weekend and close it again from Monday through Friday.Unitil, however, reopened the section of trail at about 3:05 p.m. on Oct. 22 after crews discovered the gas pipeline is much further underground than the company thought. This changed the scope of the project, and the work could not be completed under the current permit.The company said there are no planned closures for the rest of this year. Portland officials said Unitil is working closely with the city and the Maine Department of Transportation to determine next steps, which will take place in the spring of 2026.
The part of the Back Cove Trail on Tukey’s Bridge reopened to the public much earlier than expected due to an unexpected setback in Unitil’s plans to conduct natural gas pipeline maintenance.
The Tukey’s Bridge section of the trail was closed to pedestrians and bicyclists on Oct. 20. The plan was to have it closed through Oct. 24, reopen for the weekend and close it again from Monday through Friday.
Unitil, however, reopened the section of trail at about 3:05 p.m. on Oct. 22 after crews discovered the gas pipeline is much further underground than the company thought. This changed the scope of the project, and the work could not be completed under the current permit.
The company said there are no planned closures for the rest of this year. Portland officials said Unitil is working closely with the city and the Maine Department of Transportation to determine next steps, which will take place in the spring of 2026.