Right in front of you is a striking metallic bridge with tall, rectangular towers rising on either end, steel beams crisscrossing like a giant’s scaffolding set against the sky-just follow the line of the road across the river and you’ll spot it!
Now, let’s step into the story of the Memorial Bridge. Imagine it’s a hot summer’s day in 1923; folks in Portsmouth and Kittery are gathering alongside the river, fanning themselves with excitement, kids pulling their parents closer for a better look. Suddenly, a five-year-old girl named Helen Dondero-who’ll one day be known as Eileen Foley-stands by a broad silk ribbon, hands trembling just a bit, and snips through the ribbon to wild cheers. The very first Memorial Bridge opens, not just as a way to drive from New Hampshire to Maine, but as a living tribute: a “Memorial to the Sailors and Soldiers of New Hampshire who gave their lives in the World War 1917-1919,” as the enormous plaque overhead declares, metal letters gleaming in the sunlight.
This brand-new bridge is a true marvel-no toll required, just open arms to anyone crossing the Piscataqua River. It’s a vertical-lift bridge, able to hoist its center span straight into the sky to let mighty ships and humble fishing boats pass beneath. Travelers back then probably craned their necks and gasped when the deck went rumbling upward. And there’s excitement in the air: this route will soon become US Route 1, part of the legendary Atlantic Highway, whisking drivers from coastal town to coastal town.
But while the bridge’s hardware was strong, time can be even stronger. By the late 2000s, the old bridge was showing its age. Engineers eyed the rust and cracking paint and shook their heads. Restrictions dropped lower-from 20 tons down to 10. “No big trucks, sorry!” Even pedestrians and cyclists had to wait for a shuttle bus, crossing the river by road instead of the bridge. The bridge was so historic, it even made the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places in 2009. People worried: “Would our beloved bridge vanish forever?” Tension grew as plans to save it stalled, millions of dollars over budget and communities on both sides biting their nails. At last, in 2011, the weary span had to be shut for good. Inspectors reported “too many problems in too many places.” One cold morning in February 2012, the center portion-where so many memories lingered-was demolished.
But Portsmouth and Kittery don’t give up easily, and neither does history! New Hampshire and Maine had a mission: build a bridge worthy of the old one’s legacy. Local legend Eileen Foley, now grown and serving as beloved Mayor of Portsmouth for a whopping eight terms, tied a blue ribbon to the bridge’s plaque at its closing-and then, as if by magic, she was back on August 8, 2013, to dedicate its grand replacement. Ninety years after her childhood ribbon-cutting, she celebrated the clang and rattle of a brand-new vertical-lift bridge-one that honors the fallen, connects communities, and stands tall above the river.
If you squint just right, you can almost see the past replay beneath your feet: silent parades of Model Ts following US Route 1, cyclists grinning in the wind, and every sort of traveler grateful for a safe crossing. Today, the Memorial Bridge isn’t just a road. It welcomes pedestrians, bikers, and anyone who wants to stroll out over the Piscataqua, wind whipping your hair and the river swirling below. It’s the only one of the three bridges here with a sidewalk-meaning you can march right into Maine (just don’t forget to wave)!
Oh, and did you know this bridge is part of the East Coast Greenway? You could, in theory, walk or pedal your way from Maine all the way to Florida, starting right here! Every summer, its mighty gears and cables lift the roadway high to let boats pass, the sound echoing along the water.
Even today, the Memorial Bridge stands as a symbol. On the night of February 25, 2022, its steel beams lit up in blue and yellow for Ukraine, shining hope across the water. Like all good stories, there’s a bit more to tell-the bridge is always under watchful care, ever at the heart of the community.
So here you are: where the river meets the sea, history meets the present, and every traveler-on bike, foot, or car-becomes part of the Memorial Bridge’s living tale. Enjoy the view, listen to the river, and remember: some bridges aren’t just for crossing; they’re for connecting us-across time, space, and memory!
