One Of The Highest Bridges In The Whole Country Is Right Here In New Hampshire
The southeastern region of New Hampshire is one of the busiest in the state, due to its proximity to Massachusetts as well as being a major corridor for vehicle traffic. Interstate 95 is the major artery through this part of the state and one of its most prominent features is the Piscataqua River Bridge linking New Hampshire to Maine.
The Piscataqua River Bridge spans the Piscataqua River and connects Portsmouth, New Hampshire to Kittery, Maine. The state line is in the center of the river and bridge. Construction of the bridge began in 1968 and its formal opening was in 1972.
The bridge spans the river at a length of 4,503 feet and is 135 feet tall at its highest point. The bridge carries tens of thousands of vehicles each day between the two states along a six-lane section of Interstate 95. While located in both New Hampshire and Maine, the bridge is maintained by the New Hampshire Department of Transportation.
Midway through the construction of the bridge in 1970, an accident claimed the lives of four workers who plunged to their deaths. Another seven were injured. On the Maine side of the river is a plaque under the bridge that memorializes the construction workers.
The nearby Memorial Bridge and the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge also cross the river and were built to accomodate ship traffic. The Piscataqua River Bridge was built with a high arch design to eliminate the need for raising and lowering.
A total of four construction companies worked on designing, fabricating, and building the bridge: Bethlehem Steel Co. from Pennsylvania, Cianbro Corporation from Maine, Hardesty & Hanover from New York, and Cianchette Brothers, Inc. from Maine.
After its completion, the Piscataqua River Bridge won an "Award of Merit" from the American Institute of Steel Construction. It was also given the distinction of the most outstanding new bridge in the nation by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
