Memorial Bridge (Portsmouth, New Hampshire)

World War I Memorial Bridge
The new Memorial Bridge
Coordinates43°04′46″N 70°45′09″W / 43.07938°N 70.75255°W / 43.07938; -70.75255
Carries US 1 USBR 1
CrossesPiscataqua River
LocalePortsmouth, NH and
Kittery, ME
ID number021702470008400[1]
Characteristics
DesignVertical-lift bridge
Total length366.1 m (1,201 ft)
Width8.5 m (27.9 ft)
Longest span91.5 m (300 ft)
Clearance below39.6 m (129.9 ft) (Lift span open)
History
OpenedAugust 8, 2013
Statistics
TollNone
Location
Map

The World War I Memorial Bridge is a vertical-lift bridge that carries U.S. Route 1 across the Piscataqua River between Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and Badger's Island in Kittery, Maine, United States. The current bridge was opened in 2013, replacing a bridge of similar design that existed from 1923 to 2012. A large overhead plaque carried over from the original reads "Memorial to the Sailors and Soldiers of New Hampshire who gave their lives in the World War 1917–1919."

The lift span can be fully opened to allow large commercial vessels to pass. During summer, the lift section remains partially elevated every half-hour between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. for about 15 minutes. This allows smaller commercial and recreational boat traffic. The bridge is currently the only one of the three Piscataqua River bridges with provisions for pedestrians. New Hampshire and Maine designated the bridge as part of their State Bicycle Routes, and the bridge is part of the proposed East Coast Greenway.[2]

  1. ^ Nationalbridges.com. "National Bridge Inventory Bridges - 021702470008400". Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2006-09-29.
  2. ^ Seacoast Area Bicycle Routes. "Rehabilitation of Memorial Bridge, Portsmouth NH". Archived from the original on 2006-06-15. Retrieved 2006-10-02.