A slight holiday inconvenience for drivers allowed construction crews to work on the town’s future maritime center.

From the early morning to 6 p.m. on the October 8 Columbus Day holiday, traffic was detoured as the Padanaram bridge and causeway were closed to allow a large crane to be moved to the bridge.

Construction crews used the crane to install pilings for the town’s new public maritime center. The pilings will support a public pier out into the harbor.

Officials chose to conduct the work on Columbus Day, a vacation day for many, in an effort to minimize the impact of the work on traffic.

The work is part of a project to build a single-story, 530 square-foot maritime center at the corner of Bridge and Water Streets. The project also includes the addition of a deck for the public to enjoy water views and a boat ramp.

The building will include two bathrooms and showers, and a 14-by-14 foot multi-purpose room, open to all boaters and the general public. The room will be used as a welcome center and as seasonal offices for the Dartmouth Harbormaster, who works next door.

The project is funded through a $1.2 million state grant, $200,000 in community preservation funds, and additional funds from the Department of Public Works and Waterways Commission. The total cost is $1.47 million.

Construction began in August, and is expected to wrap up by the end of the year.