Casco Bay Bridge

The Casco Bay Bridge is a bascule bridge that spans the Fore River, connecting South Portland and Portland, ME.

In 1987 the state of Maine, in concert with surrounding towns, concluded that the existing Million Dollar Bridge, which was almost 70 years old, was inadequate for current needs. This bridge, also a draw bridge, had only two traffic lanes and offered severely limited clearances for maritime traffic. Given increases in tanker commerce and increased usage of the bridge, a replacement was decided on, and construction started in 1993. The Casco Bay Bridge was completed in 1997.

The new Casco Bay Bridge has four 12 foot wide lanes, with a pedestrian lane on its eastern side. The bridge is supported by several 7 foot thick concrete H-pile cylinders, which the bridge's steel girders sit atop. The new bridge has much higher horizontal and vertical clearances, which allow larger ships access further into the Fore River, with the bascule also having to open less frequently. Extra precautions were taken to ensure that the bridge had sufficient pier protection.

Satellite Photo
Street Map

Part of Casco Bay Bridge

Photo 31, Oct 2010

Casco Bay Bridge

With lift section raised

Photo 121, Oct 2010