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Memorial Bridge Span Lowered Into Place

Roger Wood

There is finally some visible evidence of progress in the rebuilding of the Memorial Bridge between New Hampshire and Maine.

Construction crews from Archer Western Contractors are moving a three hundred foot section that will be secured to piers on the Portsmouth side of the Piscataqua River.  Project Manager Steve Delgrosso says that the span is being floated by barge from the state pier to the bridge.

"And then the rest of the day will be spent lowering the span with the hydraulic system and using our winch system to align it to set it down on the bearings sometime this afternoon."

DelGross briefed Governor Maggie Hassan on the project.  She says that the work should provide a psychological lift for residents on both sides of the river.

"This community has been very patient, but having the bridge closed has been a disruption and we need to move forward and get this fixed, and I’m delighted we’ve been able to do that."

After the South span is installed, construction crews will begin work on the South tower, part of the lift span to allow raising and lowering of the bridge for vessels.  Archer Western says that the $90 million dollar project is currently on track for a re-opening of the bridge next summer.

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