Lincoln, NH, September 28, 2011: The damaged Loon Mountain Resort bridge, which provides access to the Resort from Route 112/The Kancamagus Highway, is being replaced by a temporary, two-lane vehicular bridge with a sidewalk, until the main bridge can be repaired next spring. This will allow normal winter operations to proceed as usual. In the meantime, the Resort remains open for fall events and activities, and alternate vehicular access is available via the South Peak Bridge, located two miles to the west in the town of Lincoln.

Construction of the temporary bridge is being handled by the NH Department of Transportation (NH DOT) and is now underway. The bridge is expected to be in place and open by mid-November. Repair work on the main bridge is slated to begin next spring, after the ski season ends, and will be conducted by an independent third-party contractor to be hired by the Town of Lincoln. The timeline for repair work and the main bridge reopening is not yet available.

Tropical Storm Irene dumped up to 10″ of rain over the area on August 28, causing the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River to flood, undermining the bridge abutments and rendering Route 112/The Kancamagus Highway impassable east of the Resort. NH DOT closed the bridge on August 28 and then a portion of the bridge collapsed on August 31. A temporary pedestrian bridge was put in place for the 36th Annual New Hampshire Highland Games, which took place on September 16-18, and Route 112/The Kancamagus Highway was opened a week ahead of schedule on September 10, in plenty of time for the important foliage season.

“We would like to thank Governor Lynch, who recognizes the importance of tourism and the ski industry to the State’s economy, and who made a quick resolution possible in time for the Highland Games and the important upcoming winter ski season,” said Rick Kelley, Loon Mountain Resort’s president and general manager. “We would also like to thank NH DOT, the Town of Lincoln and all the utility companies for their many hours of work on an aggressive schedule to reopen this important access to Loon Mountain.”

Loon’s Gondola Skyride is open daily through October 16 and Segway Tours are available daily through October 10. The Loon Mountain Adventure Center and Riding Stable are open on weekends through October 10. Loon hosts the popular Oktoberfest on October 8-9, followed by the new Monster Mud Run mountain obstacle challenge and Halloween Monster Bash on October 29. New England Passes are on sale at pre-season prices through October 10.

For latest bridge updates, Resort and New England Pass information, and a full calendar of events, visit www.loonmtn.com