The Androscoggin Brunswick-Topsham Riverwalk is a year-round, in-town walking loop, 1.25 miles long. Fully-accessible paths, including sidewalks in the more urban portions of the route, cross the Frank J. Wood Bridge and the historic Androscoggin Swinging Bridge along the Androscoggin River in both Brunswick and Topsham.
Improvements to the Riverwalk are being implemented in phases. Initial components included restoring of the Swinging Bridge and creating of a new pedestrian walkway on the Frank J. Wood Bridge as well as an extension to the Summer Street sidewalk in Topsham. In October 2012, the Mill Road section through the woods in Topsham was completed, linking the Swinging Bridge to the Summer Street sidewalk and a lighted crosswalk was added on Mill Street at the Brunswick end of of the Swinging Bridge to provide safe access for pedestrians. Historic markers can be found at the Topsham end of the Swinging Bridge and on Summer Street in Topsham, with a view toward the historic Cabot Mill in Brunswick,
Currently, planning by the Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT) is underway for improvements to the Androscoggin River crossing between Maine Street in Brunswick and Main Street in Topsham - the "Maine(e) Street Bridge." MDOT has recommended replacing the Frank J. Wood Bridge with a new span that will include two sidewalks, two bike lanes and outlooks for views of the river. The Riverwalk Advisory Committee is represented on a Design Advisory Committee, comprised of representatives from Topsham and Brunswick, that was convened to work with MDOT on the design of a potential replacement span and of river overlook parks on either end. Click here for the "Preliminary Report on Design Recommendations" issued by that committee.
Future phases will include improvements in Brunswick along the busy Mill Street Route One connector and the Fort Andross area, as well as a riverfront park at the Priority Business Center in Topsham. The MDOT currently is conducting a study in Brunswick of the area from the end of the Main(e) Street Bridge to Mason Street in connection with its plan to rebuild the Maine Street deck over Route One. The Riverwalk Advisory Committee donated the required $16,000 in local matching funds for an MDOT grant to study the Riverwalk through that area and down along Mill Street to the Swinging Bridge.
More benches will be installed along Riverwalk, particularly at sites that provide spectacular views of the Androscoggin River and the neighborhoods adjacent to the river. There will be directional signage along the route and informational signage at points of natural, historic or other significance. As necessary, existing sidewalks will be extended or improved. New safety buffers will protect pedestrians and cyclists from vehicles in the more high-traffic sections of the Riverwalk.