Cianbro is contractor for the US$158.5 million project, which is a joint venture between the Maine and New Hampshire Departments of Transportation, with MaineDOT serving as the lead. The design is by Figg and Hardesty & Hanover.
The new lift bridge has been designed with long open spans using 11 fewer piers than the existing bridge. In addition, there will be less disruption to travellers thanks to faster and fewer openings of the main span, which will feature an increased height for marine traffic.
The new Sarah Mildred Long Bridge is part of a 'three bridge agreement' to address the two states' jointly owned bridges spanning the Piscataqua River. The other two bridges are the high level bridge that carries I-95, and the Memorial Bridge, whick links the communities of Portsmouth and Kittery.
The existing Sarah Mildred Long Bridge, built in 1940, provides a regional link between Maine and New Hampshire, and is the critical back-up route in case of disruption on the Interstate 95 Bridge. Maine and New Hampshire agreed to replace the structure instead of the original plan, which was to carry out rehabilitation.
