Piscataqua River Bridge Construction Photo Collection Finding Aid
Date Unknown /
Portsmouth Public Library, Special Collections
Collection
Piscataqua River Bridge Construction Photograph Collection
This collection of 97 black-and-white photographs was added to the Portsmouth Public Library’s Special Collections in 1995. The photos were taken between June 25, 1968 to September 29, 1969 and show the progression of work during the construction of the Piscataqua River Bridge, also known as the I-95 Bridge.
Construction of the I-95 bridge, a significant landmark in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, was initiated in the late 1960s as part of the Vaughan Street Urban Renewal Project, which also included the demolition of the North End neighborhood. The project aimed to modernize the city and improve its connectivity to the interstate highway system. The bridge specifically was a response to the growing traffic congestion and bottleneck created by the outdated Maine-New Hampshire Lift Bridge.
The original plan for the I-95 bridge envisioned a 1,344-foot-long steel-arch span flanked by cantilever truss spans and boasting a 125-foot clearance. However, due to concerns about accommodating ocean-going vessels, the design was revised to provide a 135-foot clearance. Construction began in May 1968 and was a massive undertaking, requiring extensive engineering and construction efforts. Twenty piers were built to support the 4,500-foot-long bridge on the New Hampshire side and 15 were built on the Maine side. The six-lane roadway on the bridge spans 108-feet-wide over the Piscataqua River. Maplewood Avenue and Market Street Extension were developed with the express intent of linking Portsmouth’s downtown to the I-95 bridge. The bridge’s total cost was $21 million, with 90% coming from federal funds with the remainder split between Maine and New Hampshire.
The project was marred by tragedy in 1970 when a platform on the Maine side of the bridge collapsed, resulting in the deaths of four construction workers. This incident led to legal proceedings and public scrutiny of the project's safety measures. Despite the challenges and setbacks, the I-95 bridge was ultimately completed and opened to traffic in 1972. A dedication ceremony was held on November 1, 1972 and the Portsmouth High School Clipper Band and the Kittery School Band both performed. One year later, the bridge was named the nation’s most outstanding bridge by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The I-95 bridge’s construction marked a significant milestone in Portsmouth's development, transforming the city into a more accessible and connected urban center. Its construction was a significant achievement, earning recognition from the American Institute of Steel Construction and the U.S. Department of Transportation. In recent years, the bridge has undergone maintenance and restoration efforts to ensure its continued structural integrity and safety. The Piscataqua River Bridge remains a vital component of the Interstate 95 corridor, serving as a testament to the ingenuity and perseverance of its builders.
The photographs were scanned by intern Anya Bake in the fall of 2023. The metadata was created by Reference Librarian Robyn Nielsen and Special Collections Librarian Katie Czajkowski during the summer of 2024. Finding aid created by Katie Czajkowski, 2024. This collection is permanently housed in the Portsmouth Public Library Special Collections. The digital images are available here for research and public access.
Construction of the I-95 bridge, a significant landmark in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, was initiated in the late 1960s as part of the Vaughan Street Urban Renewal Project, which also included the demolition of the North End neighborhood. The project aimed to modernize the city and improve its connectivity to the interstate highway system. The bridge specifically was a response to the growing traffic congestion and bottleneck created by the outdated Maine-New Hampshire Lift Bridge.
The original plan for the I-95 bridge envisioned a 1,344-foot-long steel-arch span flanked by cantilever truss spans and boasting a 125-foot clearance. However, due to concerns about accommodating ocean-going vessels, the design was revised to provide a 135-foot clearance. Construction began in May 1968 and was a massive undertaking, requiring extensive engineering and construction efforts. Twenty piers were built to support the 4,500-foot-long bridge on the New Hampshire side and 15 were built on the Maine side. The six-lane roadway on the bridge spans 108-feet-wide over the Piscataqua River. Maplewood Avenue and Market Street Extension were developed with the express intent of linking Portsmouth’s downtown to the I-95 bridge. The bridge’s total cost was $21 million, with 90% coming from federal funds with the remainder split between Maine and New Hampshire.
The project was marred by tragedy in 1970 when a platform on the Maine side of the bridge collapsed, resulting in the deaths of four construction workers. This incident led to legal proceedings and public scrutiny of the project's safety measures. Despite the challenges and setbacks, the I-95 bridge was ultimately completed and opened to traffic in 1972. A dedication ceremony was held on November 1, 1972 and the Portsmouth High School Clipper Band and the Kittery School Band both performed. One year later, the bridge was named the nation’s most outstanding bridge by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The I-95 bridge’s construction marked a significant milestone in Portsmouth's development, transforming the city into a more accessible and connected urban center. Its construction was a significant achievement, earning recognition from the American Institute of Steel Construction and the U.S. Department of Transportation. In recent years, the bridge has undergone maintenance and restoration efforts to ensure its continued structural integrity and safety. The Piscataqua River Bridge remains a vital component of the Interstate 95 corridor, serving as a testament to the ingenuity and perseverance of its builders.
The photographs were scanned by intern Anya Bake in the fall of 2023. The metadata was created by Reference Librarian Robyn Nielsen and Special Collections Librarian Katie Czajkowski during the summer of 2024. Finding aid created by Katie Czajkowski, 2024. This collection is permanently housed in the Portsmouth Public Library Special Collections. The digital images are available here for research and public access.