NEWMARKET - The New Hampshire Department of Transportation will hold a public hearing next week on a proposal to paint the underside of the steel beam bridge spanning the Lamprey River on Route 108.

The project is slated to be completed during the 2005 construction season, between April and October, with a final completion date of Oct. 15.

According to Jerry Zoller of DOT the project constitutes routine maintenance only, as the underside of the bridge requires new paint to prevent erosion, and there are no structural concerns.

The state-funded proposal anticipates the lowest-bidding contractor to complete the repainting in six to eight weeks, with a limit of 50 consecutive days of single-lane traffic closure. The lane closures will not be in effect during peak traffic hours (6-9 a.m. and 3-6 p.m.) and the sidewalks will remain open.

The state proposal also requires bidding contractors to adhere to regulations with regard to the proper removal and disposal of the potentially hazardous lead paint currently on the steel, and also indicates soil testing of adjacent areas both before and after the work.

Should the town desire to have the steel supports of the municipal water main, which traverses the river under the bridge, to be repainted, it will be at the town’s cost. This, as well as details regarding any citizen or town concerns about the specific dates of the project, the impact on traffic, and environmental concerns will be discussed at the Jan. 5 Town Council meeting at Town Hall at 7 p.m.