RICHMOND (AP) — An archaeological dig at the site of the new bridge across the Kennebec River between Richmond and Dresden will be allowed to continue even as construction starts.

Archaeologists had feared that their work on two colonial-era forts on the Richmond side would be interrupted by construction.

Leith Smith of the Maine Historic Preservation Commission told the Kennebec Journal (http://bit.ly/12KO9b7 ) that the contractor has informed him that work on the bridge will start on the Dresden side, allowing archaeological work to continue for about another month or so.

Workers preparing for construction of a new bridge found parts of the original 1720s and 1740s Richmond forts.

Among the more interesting recent discoveries at the dig site are pieces of a cannon Smith says dates to the original Fort Richmond.