Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Observatory facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Penobscot Narrows Bridge |
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The Penobscot Narrows Bridge. Observatory is at top of west tower; access is provided via elevator from west tower base.
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| Coordinates | 44°33′32″N 68°48′11″W / 44.559°N 68.803°W |
| Carries | 2 lanes of   US 1 / SR 3 |
| Crosses | Penobscot River |
| Locale | Prospect – Verona Island, Maine |
| Official name | Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Observatory |
| Maintained by | Maine Department of Transportation |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Cable-stayed bridge |
| Total length | 2,120 feet (646 m) |
| Height | 447 feet (136 m) |
| Longest span | 1,161 feet (354 m) |
| Clearance below | 135 feet (41 m) |
| History | |
| Opened | December 30, 2006 |
The Penobscot Narrows Bridge is a really long bridge in Maine, about 2,120 feet (646 meters) long! This special bridge connects Verona Island to Prospect. It carries US 1 and SR 3 over the Penobscot River.
It's a cable-stayed bridge, which means it uses strong cables to hold up the road. The Penobscot Narrows Bridge was built to replace an older one called the Waldo–Hancock Bridge, which was built in 1931.
How the Bridge Was Built
This bridge is one of only a few in the United States that uses a special "cradle system." This system helps carry the strong steel strands that make up the cables. These strands go all the way from one end of the bridge deck to the other.
Each steel strand is coated with a special material and placed inside its own steel tube. This design means each strand works on its own. If one needs to be checked or replaced, it can be done without affecting the others. The cables also have a special system that uses nitrogen gas to protect them from rust.
In 2007, some of the steel strands were replaced with new carbon fiber ones. This was the first time carbon fiber was used this way in a US bridge! Engineers are watching these strands to see if this material can be used more in future bridges. These smart ideas helped the bridge be named one of the 100 best innovations of 2006 by Popular Science magazine.
The Penobscot Narrows Bridge was built very quickly. It took only 42 months from the first idea to being finished. This was because it was designed as an emergency replacement for the older bridge. The total cost to build this amazing bridge was about $85 million.
Visiting the Observatory
The Penobscot Narrows Bridge is also home to the Penobscot Narrows Observatory. This is the first bridge observation tower in the United States! It's also the tallest public bridge observatory in the world.
The tower reaches about 420 feet (128 meters) into the air. From the top, visitors can see great views of the bridge itself. You can also see the nearby Fort Knox State Historic Site, the Penobscot River, and Penobscot Bay.
The Penobscot Narrows Observatory opened to visitors on May 19, 2007. It's open during the same times of the year as Fort Knox, usually from May 1 to October 31. The observatory has an elevator that takes you to the top. It's said to be the fastest and tallest elevator in Maine!
Times the Bridge Was Closed
Sometimes, the bridge has had to close for safety reasons.
- Ice Falling
On December 29, 2013, the bridge closed because chunks of ice started falling from the support cables onto the road. This ice had formed during a storm a week earlier. Cars were damaged by the falling ice, so officials decided to close the bridge to keep people safe. It reopened the next day. It closed again briefly in January 2014 when warmer weather was expected to melt more ice.
- Safety Incident
On December 7, 2017, the bridge was briefly closed due to a safety incident. Police were able to resolve the situation quickly, and no one was hurt.
Gallery
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Bridge as seen from the west in 2013
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The Penobscot Narrows Bridge with the old Waldo–Hancock Bridge
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Penobscot Bridge, August 2006
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Viewed from Verona Island
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Viewed from north toward the southeast
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Viewed from scenic overlook of the western pylon
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View from Bucksport
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Another view from Bucksport
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Closeup while riding across
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View from Observatory facing roughly northeast
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Bridge from top of west tower
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Bridge illuminated at night
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The Waldo-Hancock Bridge (1931-2006) that the Penobscot Narrows Bridge replaced
