Penobscot Narrows Bridge
| Penobscot Narrows Bridge | |
|---|---|
The Penobscot Narrows Bridge, with the Observatory in the West tower at the top
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| Coordinates | 44°33′32″N 68°48′11″W / 44.559°N 68.803°WCoordinates: 44°33′32″N 68°48′11″W / 44.559°N 68.803°W |
| Carries |
  US 1 / SR 3
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| Crosses | Penobscot River |
| Locale | Prospect – Verona Island, Maine |
| Official name | Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Observatory |
| Maintained by | Maine Department of Transportation |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Cable-stayed bridge |
| Total length | 2,120 feet (646 m) |
| Height | 447 feet (136 m) |
| Longest span | 1,161 feet (354 m) |
| Clearance below | 135 feet (41 m) |
| History | |
| Opened | December 30, 2006 |
The Penobscot Narrows Bridge is a 2,120 feet (646 m) long cable-stayed bridge that carries US 1/SR 3 over the Penobscot River. It connects Verona Island to Prospect, in the U.S. state of Maine. It replaced the Waldo–Hancock Bridge, built in 1931.
The Penobscot Narrows Bridge is one of three bridges in the US (the others being Zakim Bridge in Boston, Massachusetts, and Veterans' Glass City Skyway in Toledo, Ohio) constructed recently using a cradle system that carries the strands within the stays from bridge deck to bridge deck, as a continuous element, eliminating anchorages in the pylons. Each epoxy-coated steel strand is carried inside the cradle in a one-inch steel tube. Each strand acts independently, allowing for removal, inspection and replacement of individual strands. The cable-stay system was designed with a system that uses pressurized nitrogen gas to defend against corrosion.
In June 2007, six reference strands within three stays were replaced with carbon fiber strands – a first in the US. Monitoring on the strands will evaluate this material for future use in bridge designs. These engineering innovations helped the bridge appear in the December 2006 edition of Popular Science as one of the 100 best innovations of the year. The total project cost was $85 million.
The bridge was designed as an emergency replacement for the Waldo–Hancock Bridge. From conception to completion, just 42 months elapsed. A unique project delivery method, referred to as "owner facilitated design/build" partnered Maine DOT with FIGG as the designer and Cianbro/Reed & Reed LLC as the contractor. The elevator system in the tower, which is claimed to be the fastest and tallest elevator in Maine, was installed by Stanley Elevator Company, Inc.
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