Memorial Bridge

The Memorial Bridge is a through truss lift bridge that carries U.S. 1 across the Piscataqua River between Portsmouth, New Hampshire and Badger's Island in Kittery, Maine USA.

The lift span can be fully opened to allow large commercial vessels to pass. During summer, the lift section is partially elevated every half-hour between 7AM and 7PM for smaller commercial and recreational boat traffic. The bridge is the only one of the three Portsmouth Harbor bridges with provisions for pedestrians and bicycles.

Constructed between 1920 and 1923, the bridge was the first without toll to span the Piscataqua between Portsmouth and Kittery. The bridge was constructed as a joint venture between the Maine, New Hampshire, and United States federal governments. It was dedicated as a World War I memorial. Its plaque, above the entrance to the first truss span on the Portsmouth side, reads: Memorial to the Sailors and Soldiers of New Hampshire who participated in the World War 1917-1919.

Photo p63, Aug 2001

Memorial Bridge

Note Charles Laughton tour boat underneith.

Photo p65, Aug 2001

Memorial Bridge

in fog

Photo 281, Oct 2001

Memorial Bridge

Photo 572, July 2002

Memorial Bridge

Wellington Kent cargo boat going downriver

Photo 603, July 2002

Memorial Bridge

Providence going upriver

This is a replica of the U.S. Navy's first ship and John Paul Jones' first command.

Photo 612, July 2002

Memorial Bridge

with incoming tide - Note Nuclear Sub in background

Photo 97, April 2003

Memorial Bridge

high tide, cloudy

Photo 65, May 2003

Memorial Bridge

high tide, cloudy

Photo 72, May 2003

Memorial Bridge

from Prescott Park

Photo 117, May 2003

Memorial Bridge

Large LPG tanker approaching bridge

Photo 74, May 2003

Memorial Bridge

Large LPG tanker approaching bridge

Photo 75, May 2003

Memorial Bridge

Tanker under bridge

Photo 76, May 2003

Memorial Bridge

Tanker under bridge, assisted by 4 tugs

Photo 77, May 2003

Memorial Bridge

Back of tanker just passing bridge

Photo 79, May 2003

Memorial Bridge

tall ship Jeanie Johnston from Ireland going under the bridge

Photo 08, Aug 2003

Memorial Bridge

tall ship Jeanie Johnston from Ireland going under the bridge

Photo 09, Aug 2003

Memorial Bridge

tall ship Jeanie Johnston from Ireland going under the bridge

Photo 10, Aug 2003

Memorial Bridge

tall ship Friendship from Salem going under the bridge

Photo 35, Aug 2004

Memorial Bridge

NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) research ship leaves Portsmouth

Photo 29, Aug 2004

Memorial Bridge

NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) research ship leaves Portsmouth

Photo 30a, Aug 2004

Memorial Bridge

Coast Guard tall ship Eagle

Photo 45, Aug 2006

Memorial Bridge

Photo 08a, July 2010

MMemorial Bridge now shut down, soon to be demolished.

Photo 68a, Sept 2011

Memorial Bridge, now shut down and due to be demolished and a new bridge put in it's place.

Photo 53, Sept 2011