Local artist Dan Cayer has presented an ambitious proposal to create a 20-foot sculpture using materials from the nearly century-old bridge that once connected Madawaska, Maine to Canada. The town's Select Board has given their approval for the unique art project, which would repurpose historic bridge components that have been preserved due to their significant cultural value.
The old international bridge was replaced by a new span and port of entry project that was completed last year. When the Department of Transportation decided to dismantle the historic structure, the town made sure to preserve certain parts because of their historical importance. "When the DOT decided to dismantle the old bridge, we got those parts," explained Madawaska Town Manager David Daigle during a Tuesday Select Board meeting where Cayer unveiled his project model. "We brought them to the public works garage and Dan [Cayer] has taken some pictures of those old parts and come up with something that you might be interested in."
The proposed sculpture will be shaped like a five-pointed star, a symbol that holds deep significance for the town and region's Acadian culture and heritage. This star symbol has historical roots dating back to 1884, when it was adopted by early French settlers to demonstrate that while they originated from France, their culture had evolved into something unique with its own distinct traditions. Today, the five-pointed star design can be seen displayed on barns and homes throughout Aroostook County, serving as a proud marker of Acadian identity.
Cayer, who brings more than 40 years of artistic experience to the project, spent considerable time figuring out how to incorporate the bridge pieces into an art installation, particularly since all the salvaged materials are straight beams. His creative process involved making miniature replicas of the beams, constructed to scale, which ultimately led him to conceive the star-shaped design. This hands-on approach allowed him to visualize how the structural elements could be transformed into a meaningful artistic statement.
The artist has developed a detailed color scheme for the sculpture that reflects Acadian symbolism and local geography. "I was thinking of painting the outside blue, representing the sky, the water, and everything that has to do with the air and earth," Cayer explained to town officials. The interior of the star would be painted red, which "represents the heart of the people, the strength." The connecting elements, called lacing, would be painted white to match the middle stripe of the Acadian flag.
The lacing itself carries symbolic meaning beyond its color, representing the constant movement and connection between the two countries that the bridge facilitated for decades. "The lacing represents people crossing back and forth on this bridge," Cayer said. "Not only crossing from Madawaska to Edmundston, but crossing the St. John River, which is the reason the bridge was there to begin with." This design element captures the essence of the bridge's role as a vital link between communities and nations.
Select Board Chairman Jason Boucher expressed enthusiasm for the project, calling it "beautiful" and suggesting that the town might also purchase a smaller copy to display in a community space as a companion to the larger sculpture. The detailed model that Cayer presented represents approximately three months of dedicated work, demonstrating his commitment to the project and attention to detail.
The town has identified a cost-effective approach to bringing the sculpture to life. Town Manager Daigle indicated that officials plan to reach out to the St. John Valley Technology Center to explore whether students would be interested in performing the welding and construction work as part of their educational coursework. Since the town already possesses all the necessary materials from the old bridge, the project could be completed with minimal financial impact on the municipal budget.
While important details such as the sculpture's final location still need to be determined, the Select Board unanimously voted to move forward with the art project. "I truly appreciate you taking all the time to put that together," Chairman Boucher told Cayer. "It's astonishing." The approval represents strong community support for preserving the bridge's legacy through artistic expression.
The old bridge's replacement has garnered significant recognition in the engineering community. The new structure was ranked as the number one bridge in North America for 2024 by Roads & Bridges magazine, highlighting the quality and innovation of the replacement project. When the new bridge and Port of Entry facility were completed, approximately 200 people gathered for a dedication ceremony that attracted high-profile political figures including U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, as well as U.S. Representative Jared Golden, underscoring the project's regional importance and the significant role the bridge plays in connecting communities across the international border.
