BRIDGING THE GAP | Evan Palmer of Casco Bay Steel Structures in Saco, Maine waits to hook up and off-load a 10,500-pound steel decking beam for the massive new bridge being constructed on River Street in Bethel. Palmer, has worked with Casco Bay for three years since graduating from Washington County Community College. Living in North Waterboro, he rises at about 2:30 a.m., takes a one-hour commute to Saco, and loads as much as 20 tons of fabricated steel onto a flat bed trailer. Hauling with a Kenworth W900, Palmer negotiates the three hour run to Bethel each day. At just 23 years of age, he will deliver most of the 415 tons of steel for the bridge, which, according to VTrans regional construction engineer, Ann Gammell, is contracted at $6,516,072 and is scheduled for completion by October 11, 2013. (Herald / Bob Eddy)