Memorial Bridge Shots 2012- The Deconstruction
The Memorial Bridge, a truss lift bridge, served as a lifeline between Portsmouth, NH and Kittery, Maine from 1923 to 2011. As the plaque on the Portsmouth side of the bridge reads, it was dedicated as a ," Memorial to the sailors and Soldiers of New Hampshire who participated in the World War 1917-1919." Over its "life" it had fallen into a state of disrepair and was eventually deemed unsafe. Its deconstruction was begun in January of 2012 with its replacement, a new Memorial Bridge, scheduled to open in July of 2013.
The deconstruction process of the Memorial Bridge seemed to impact the community in a way that few could have anticipated. I first took note of the upcoming "deconstruction" of the Memorial Bridge when a local news station reported that the bridge's lift span(center span)was to be floated off intact. Imagine, the entire 2 million pound section lowered onto a barge and," away she goes". Now, I thought this would be worth seeing, and it was. However, the throngs of people on hand to witness this spectacle, the varied emotions shared by the crowd, the stories that surfaced about this bridge by long time residents of the area, and the military vets, who best understood the true meaning of this bridge as a memorial to those who had served their country, seemed to bring to life this pile of steel, asphalt and concrete in a way that few could have possibly imagined or predicted. Before long, much of the conversation around me centered around how such an iconic piece of Portsmouth's heritage had been allowed to deteriorate. Regret, remorse and sadness would soon turn into respect, admiration and honor as the "deconstruction" of the Memorial Bridge ensued.
The following images chronicle the various phases of the deconstruction process. Some of the images in this gallery have been repurposed to reflect the mood and sentiment of those around me. Similarly, as the weather on any given day seemed to influence how the process was perceived, I portrayed its impact on the scene as the images were finalized.
The Memorial Bridge
The Memorial Bridge as remembered. -June 2010
Prepare to Descend
The Portsmouth tower and center span. This bridge has more angles than... Thoughts of my boyhood Erector Set projects often came to mind as I observed the deconstruction process. -February 8, 2012
Commercial Pier, Pierce Island, Portsmouth, NH
As we all waited for the Memorial Bridge's big moment and final descent I turned to my left. I had never seen the North Church's steeple from this vantage point.Taken from Four Tree Island -February 8, 2012
Four Tree IslandPortsmouthNHPortsmouth Commercial Fishing Pier
With the center span lowered and resting on the Cape Cod(transport barge), torches are used to cut the suspension cables freeing it from the counterweights, which are now supported by massive steel girders.-February 8,2012
An eerie calm settles over the scene as the Memorial Bridge's center span awaits separation from its Portsmouth, NH and Kittery, Me towers.-February 8,2012
Work on separating the center span continued into the night as ship traffic into Portsmouth Harbor would resume by 0700 the following day. One ship had been anchored outside the harbor for two days awaiting entry, with more expected.-February 8, 2012
At about 10:30 pm on February 8, 2012, before a cheering crowd(although a bittersweet moment) the 2 million pound, 302.5 ' long center span was finally separated form its two towers and floated up river to the"scrap piles pier" where it would remain for a brief period.-February 9, 2012
Center span of Memorial Bridge at rest near Prescott Park prior to its float-off departure for a Quincy, Mass salvage yard.The story is that when the folks at the" scrap piles pier " learned of the lead paint and asbestos which adorned the center span, they asked that it be relocated.-February 13, 2012
The Memorial Bridge Portsmouth tower, the iron stairs leading up from the center span and the massive crane head; symbols now, of times past and present.-February 14, 2012
Deconstruction of the Memorial Bridge continues after removal of its center span.
The Memorial Bridge center span is temporarily parked between its Portsmouth tower and Prescott Park before being floated out to sea.
Tugs maneuver the Memorial Bridge's center span as it begins its journey to Boston Harbor. Notice the suspension cables still dangling from the Portsmouth tower, while the cables, massive sheaves and sheave covers have been removed from the Kittery tower. -February 15, 2012
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No turning back now! The transport barge, Cape Cod, is 250' long, 72' wide and 16' from deck to bottom. She will be towed to her destination by the tug Miss Yvette(behind the barge). February 15,2012
Memorial BridgePortsmouthNHBridge DeconstructionPortsmouthKittery Memorial Bridge
The Memorial Bridge's center span's procession continues past the Shipyard as it makes its way to the open ocean.The mood is somber as the center span passes by the small pockets of onlookers that have gathered for this occasion. Few thought they would ever live to see this day. Goodbye old friend-February 15, 2012
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The 450 ton counterweight still sits atop the Memorial Bridge's Portsmouth tower. February 26, 2012.
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Piece by Piece, portions of the Memorial Bridge are disassembled,and are lowered onto a barge for transport to a salvage yard.-February 28, 2012
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A lone worker high atop the Portsmouth Tower continues to prepare the massive counterweight for removal. The counterweight will be cut into 4 equal vertical sections prior to hoisting.-February 27, 2012
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The Memorial Bridge plaques and eagle as they were originally mounted in 1923 .- February 14,2012
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Portsmouth side bridge construction worker prepares the NH State Plaque for removal.-February 27,2012
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NH State Plaque is prepared for removal and refurbishing. The eagle above will also be removed. -February 27,2012
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Lift is in position, straps are fastened and...
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The 750 ton crane barge, Excalibur, approaches Whaleback Lighthouse as she begins her entry into Portsmouth Harbor.This crane will be used to remove the 450 ton counterweights still perched atop each of the Memorial Bridge's two towers. -March 5, 2012
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As she approaches Fort Point Light(Constitution to some) , Excalibur, like some lumbering prehistoric behemoth, continues her journey up the Piscataqua River. -March 5, 2012
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Excalibur passes by Fort Point Lighthouse. -March 5, 2012
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The 750 Ton Crane Barge, Excalibur, is positioned in preparation for the removal of the Portsmouth side counter weight.Excalibur will be further anchored in place with 2 long pilings, also known as spuds, lowered into the river bottom. The relative size of this monstrous crane is difficult to comprehend. Her main boom reaches nearly 220'. -March 6, 2012- March 6, 2012
Memorial BridgePortsmouthNHBridge DeconstructionPortsmouthKittery Memorial BridgeSterling EquipmentExcalibur
With rough seas having delayed Excalibur's arrival, she finally made it to Portsmouth Harbor on Monday March 5th. By Tuesday morning, she had been positioned alongside the Memorial Bridge's Portsmouth tower. It took nearly all of that day to properly anchor her and set her up for the counterweight removal which would have likely occurred the following day. Wednesday morning arrived with no crane barge in sight. Due to unplanned mechanical issues, she was moved overnight to the "salt piles pier" for repairs. March 7, 2012
Memorial BridgePortsmouthNHBridge DeconstructionPortsmouthKittery Memorial BridgeSterling EquipmentExcalibur
While Excalibur awaits repairs, the smaller crawler crane barge,the Amquip Crane, is moved across the river to the Kittery tower where further deconstruction will continue.-March 8, 2012
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An upper crossmember is removed from high atop the Kittery tower. -March 12, 2012
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Workers atop the Kittery tower continue preparing sections of steel for removal. Notice the steel girders supporting the counterweight now that the center span suspension cables have been cut.- March 12, 2012
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The absence of the Memorial Bridge's center span does little to diminish her prominence and character.-March 13,2012
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At just over 300' long, the center span's absence leaves a gaping cavity. The nuances of ever changing light reflect the many moods of what many will remember as an Iconic structure. It won't be long now before the counterweights are removed and deconstruction of the two towers begins. -March 19, 2012
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Excalibur ,a ringer crane, having been repaired, is now readied for the task for which she was summoned. She is unable to move forward or backward on her massive barge, but rotates on a giant 60' diameter rail turntable, which is what required repairs. She will soon be at her station by the Portsmouth Tower(none too soon as her tie-up fees to this pier were rumored to be $1,200/day since March 7th).
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Having climbed up the tallest structural member of the Portsmouth tower, a construction worker attaches the crane's hoisting cable to this vertical section which will be cut along its base and removed. The crossmember will be removed as well prior to lifting off the first section of counterweight.-March 23, 2012 (bright sun, blue sky and nearly 80 degrees,as evidenced by the person in the t-shirt)
Memorial BridgePortsmouthNHBridge DeconstructionPortsmouthKittery Memorial
Having been cut into 4 sections, each 112.5 tons(real big saw), the first is hoisted. WMUR News reported this as a "frightening scene", as an adjacent top section of concrete was dislodged in the process. This approximately 4 ton piece toppled over onto the steel girder platform creating a cloud of dust and continued its fall striking the 3rd horizontal steel brace. It was then deflected off the bridge deck and finally came to rest on one of the barges secured to the bridge base. Look down to the second cross member and just above its center you will see the section of concrete frozen in midair. Notice, also, the birds fleeing from the tower as this commotion unfolded. When interviewed by WMUR, one of the Archer Western supervisors explained that this is not unexpected when dealing with 90 year old concrete, which is why they don't allow anyone near or under the activity(duh). -March 23, 2012
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The lifting harness, attached to the second section of counter weight, is capable of lifting 140 tons. With everything in place and a final inspection underway, the second section will soon be removed with much less fanfare than the first. Note that the left end section of steel has been removed allowing Excalibur a better approach and added removal options. -March 23, 2012
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Up we go! The second section of counterweight is hoisted off the Portsmouth tower.
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The two remaining sections of counterweights will be removed effortlessly and uneventfully. Here's an interesting tidbit. The upper section of counterweight is actually open, bordered by the darker colored concrete. This allowed for the addition of more weight, should it be needed, to offset any additional weight in the center span which may have been added by construction equipment, gear or whatever. -March 23, 2012
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Excalibur removes one of the remaining vertical sections of the Portsmouth tower. -March 27,2012
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At dead low tide, the three working tugs begin to position the transport barge, Cape Cod, beneath the Memorial Bridge's south span. Once positioned, the rising tide will actual lift the south span, resting on the barge, off its foundation. -March 29, 2012
Memorial BridgePortsmouthNHBridge DeconstructionPortsmouthKittery Memorial BridgeSterling EquipmentExcaliburBarge Cape Cod
With the Cape Cod now in place, and held there by only tug power, the waiting begins. Within the hour and with only mother nature's tide to do the heavy lifting, the Memorial Bridge's south span will be detached from where she has rested and toiled on our behalf since 1923. The timing, calculations, coordination and teamwork required for this performance were nothing short of amazing. What a spectacle. March 29, 2012.
Memorial BridgePortsmouthNHBridge DeconstructionPortsmouthKittery Memorial BridgeSterling EquipmentExcaliburBarge Cape Cod
The rising incoming tide has lifted the barge,Cape Cod, which, in turn, has lifted the south span off its foundation points(not without a few creaks). The tugs now maneuver the span away from its original location. -March 29, 2012
Memorial BridgePortsmouthNHBridge DeconstructionPortsmouthKittery Memorial BridgeSterling EquipmentExcaliburBarge Cape Cod
The Cape Cod, according to those in the know, was schedule to leave Portsmouth on the following Monday or Tuesday. However, as the tugs began to flank her on either side and the crawler crane barge began to lift her spuds, it became apparent that she was soon to be released from her mooring. -March 31, 2012
Memorial BridgePortsmouthNHBridge DeconstructionPortsmouthKittery Memorial BridgeSterling EquipmentExcaliburBarge Cape Cod
The Cape Cod, the transport barge carrying the south span, is tied off to the Amquip Crane barge and then both are pushed against the the span's former pier. When properly positioned, she will be made fast to the pier and the crawler crane barge's pilings(spuds) will be lowered into the river bottom to better anchor the pair. It is from this point(once everything is properly secured) that the Cape Cod with leave for her trip to Boston Harbor. From there the former Memorial Bridge's south span will be recycled at an Everett, Ma salvage yard.
Memorial BridgePortsmouthNHBridge DeconstructionPortsmouthKittery Memorial BridgeSterling EquipmentExcaliburBarge Cape Cod
As the Miss Yvette(Red Tug) reverses engines to pull the Cape Cod forward, the Riverside Pickering tug(blue and white)pushes her sideways into the channel. She's now on her way.-March 31, 2012
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Once in the channel, the Memorial Bridge's south span is rotated so that her Portsmouth end faces the city she has served faithfully for nearly 90 years. A cheering crowd bids her a fond farewell and final salute as an act of thanks and God's Speed. March 31, 2012.
Memorial BridgePortsmouthNHBridge DeconstructionPortsmouthKittery Memorial BridgeSterling EquipmentExcaliburBarge Cape CodTug Miss YvetteRiverside Pickering Tug Creole Miss
The further down the river, the better the weather. It's not often that the water color here is as royal a blue as it appears today. Almost makes for a comic book scene. The pair rounds Fort Point Light (Constitution to some). -March 31, 2012
Memorial BridgePortsmouthNHBridge DeconstructionPortsmouthKittery Memorial BridgeSterling EquipmentExcaliburBarge Cape CodTug Miss YvetteRiverside Pickering Tug Creole Miss
