Memorial Bridge Project in Portsmouth, NH

    At the Public Information Meeting for the NH-ME Connections Study on May 6^th, 2010, the consultant team presented results of the most recent bridge inspection for Memorial Bridge and the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge. The inspection showed even greater deterioration of the steel truss members than anticipated, particularly on Memorial Bridge. Based on the extent of this deterioration, officials from the NH Department of Transportation indicated that a rehabilitation of the existing bridge would be far most costly and require replacement of far more of the structure than originally anticipated. NHDOT's recommendation is that the bridge structure be replaced on its existing piers/abutments, rededicated as a memorial to Servicemen killed in WWI, and designed in consultation with historic preservation groups, bike/ped representatives and other stakeholders to ensure a context sensitive new design. Bob Landry of NHDOT noted that a rebuild option also improves the ability to widen the flanking walkways on the bridge and turn them into multi-use bike/ped paths, as has been done with the similar Hawthorne Bridge in Portland, OR. Together with planned solid decking on the lift-span roadway, this will be a tremendous improvement for cyclists.

    While NHDOT Commissioner George Campbell stressed that the bridge remains safe for travel at posted weight limits, Commissioner Campbell and State Senator Martha Fuller Clark indicated that the State of NH sees a need to move as quickly as possible to begin work on the bridge, given earlier estimates of remaining life for the bridge of 1-3 years. Campbell and Clark announced that New Hampshire would step up to the plate and fund the capital construction costs for the replacement of the Memorial Bridge, given the recent adjournment of the Maine State Legislature prior to appropriating funds for the project.  

    Maine DOT Commissioner David Cole has stated that Maine is interested in replacing Memorial Bride with a bike/ped only bridge, and replacing the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge with a new 4-lane structure. SABR, the NH Seacoast Greenway Committee, the Eastern Trail Management District, and other advocates for non-motorized transportation have spoken out against a bike/ped only bridge, as eliminating automobile access across Memorial Bridge would have tremendous adverse impacts on businesses in Kittery. SABR continues to believe that a bridge providing safe accommodation for all modes is critical to the economies of both Portsmouth and Kittery. Numerous Kittery residents at the meeting urged fellow Mainers to contact their representatives in Augusta and stress the importance of fixing Memorial Bridge ASAP.

For more information go to:
Save Our Bridges: www.portsmouthbridges.com
ME-NH Connections Study website: www.mainenhconnections.org

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