Memorial Bridge (Portsmouth, New Hampshire) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids World War I Memorial Bridge
The new Memorial Bridge
Coordinates	43°04′46″N 70°45′09″W / 43.07938°N 70.75255°W / 43.07938; -70.75255
Carries	US 1
Crosses	Piscataqua River
Locale	Portsmouth, NH and Kittery, ME
ID number	021702470008400
Characteristics
Design	Vertical-lift bridge
Total length	366.1 m (1,201 ft)
Width	8.5 m (27.9 ft)
Longest span	91.5 m (300 ft)
Clearance below	39.6 m (129.9 ft) (Lift span open)
History
Opened	August 8, 2013
Statistics
Toll	None

The World War I Memorial Bridge is a special type of bridge called a vertical-lift bridge. It carries U.S. Route 1 across the Piscataqua River. This river separates Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and Kittery, Maine. The bridge you see today opened in 2013. It replaced an older bridge that looked similar and was there from 1923 to 2012.

A large sign from the original bridge is still on the new one. It says, "Memorial to the Sailors and Soldiers of New Hampshire who gave their lives in the World War 1917–1919." This bridge can lift its middle section. This allows large ships to pass underneath. During summer, the lift section stays partly open for about 15 minutes every half-hour. This happens from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. It helps smaller boats and recreational vessels get through. This bridge is also the only one of the three Piscataqua River bridges that has paths for pedestrians. Both New Hampshire and Maine have made the bridge part of their State Bicycle Routes. It is also part of the planned East Coast Greenway, a long trail for walking and biking.

The First Memorial Bridge

The first Memorial Bridge was built between 1920 and 1923. It was the first bridge across the Piscataqua River that didn't charge a fee, or toll. The states of Maine and New Hampshire worked together with the federal government to build it. They dedicated it as a memorial to World War I soldiers.

Early Road Connections

When it first opened, the road over the bridge was part of New England Interstate Route 1. This route was also known as the Atlantic Highway. In 1926, the New England routes were changed. The bridge then became part of US 1.

A Special Dedication

The first bridge was officially opened on August 17, 1923. A five-year-old girl named Eileen Foley cut the ribbon. She was known as Helen Dondero back then. Eileen Foley later became the mayor of Portsmouth for many years. She served eight terms between 1968 and 1997.

Eileen Foley was also there when the old bridge closed on October 1, 2011. She tied a blue ribbon onto its dedication plaque. Then, on August 8, 2013, she returned to open the new bridge. This was 90 years after she opened the first one. She passed away in February 2016.

Why the Old Bridge Needed Replacing

Over time, the original bridge became very old and worn out. Because of its condition, heavy vehicles were not allowed on it. First, vehicles over 20 tons were banned. Then, on July 10, 2009, this limit was lowered to 10 tons.

There were plans to fix up the bridge in 2009. This project was expected to cost over $30 million. The federal government was supposed to pay for most of it. The rest would be split between Maine and New Hampshire. However, the project was put on hold. The bids from construction companies were much higher than planned.

Because of its poor condition and the stalled repair plans, the bridge was listed as one of "America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places" in 2009. This list is made by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Closing and Taking Down the Old Bridge

The old bridge, seen from Prescott Park in Portsmouth

The bridge had to close for emergency repairs several times. It closed for a month in late 2009. It also closed for ten days in December 2010. Plans to replace it kept moving forward. On July 27, 2011, the Memorial Bridge was closed for good. An inspection showed it had "too many problems in too many places."

On January 3, 2012, the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) announced more closures. The bridge would be closed to walkers and bikers starting January 9, 2012. The NHDOT provided a shuttle bus. It ran every hour between Portsmouth and Kittery until the new bridge was ready. The middle part of the old bridge was taken down on February 8, 2012.

The New Memorial Bridge

On May 6, 2010, a committee in the New Hampshire legislature voted to approve $44 million for the new bridge. This money, along with other funds, would allow the bridge to be replaced. Maine, which owned half of the old bridge, would not need to provide more money. This plan still needed approval from the full legislature and an agreement with Maine.

George Campbell, who was in charge of the NHDOT, said in 2010 that the old bridge was too damaged to be repaired. The new bridge would reuse the original bridge supports. It was also designed to look similar to the old one. Theodore Zoli designed the bridge. Archer Western Contractors built it.

The new bridge was officially opened at a ceremony on August 8, 2013. This took place on the New Hampshire side of the bridge. At first, only people walking and biking could use it. The new bridge opened to cars at 2:00 p.m. that day. Traffic first went from Maine to New Hampshire, then from New Hampshire to Maine. More work on the new bridge was completed in November 2013.

Gallery

Original bridge

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  A sailboat passes beneath the open lift span

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  Memorial dedication plaque over the Portsmouth entrance

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  Plaque naming the bridge's building commission

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  The Portsmouth end of the bridge

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  The three spans from Portsmouth to Kittery: Memorial Bridge, Sarah Mildred Long Bridge and Piscataqua River Bridge

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  Panoramic of Memorial Bridge at night, as seen from Prescott Park pier

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  A 270-degree view of the bridge from the Piscataqua River

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  The bridge being deconstructed in March 2012

Replacement bridge

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  Bridge under construction in late March 2013

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  The bridge in July 2013, a month before opening

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  The Portsmouth end of the completed bridge