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 tug, Miss Yvette, with the Cape Cod and Memorial Bridge south span in tow, begins the task of leading her cargo to Boston Harbor, a journey that is expected to take between 12 and 16 hours. March31, 2012
Memorial BridgePortsmouthNHBridge DeconstructionPortsmouthKittery Memorial BridgeSterling EquipmentExcaliburBarge Cape CodTug Miss YvetteRiverside Pickering Tug Creole Miss
Now there's something you don't see everyday, a bridge to nowhere going somewhere! - March 31, 2012.
Memorial BridgePortsmouthNHBridge DeconstructionPortsmouthKittery Memorial BridgeSterling EquipmentExcaliburBarge Cape CodTug Miss YvetteRiverside Pickering Tug Creole Miss
With Star Island in the background, and a few of the Coast Guard vessels as temporary escorts, The Portsmouth Memorial Bridge's south span is well on her way. -March 31, 2012
Memorial BridgePortsmouthNHBridge DeconstructionPortsmouthKittery Memorial BridgeSterling EquipmentExcaliburBarge Cape CodTug Miss YvetteRiverside Pickering Tug Creole Miss
That's White Island Lighthouse in the background. What I'd give to be a stowaway on this barge. The 200 or so feet of towing cable between the Cape Cod and Miss Yvette will have submerged itself quite a bit under its own weight. This serves a purpose. Not only does it place less strain on the cable, but it allows the cable to act as a massive shock absorber should they encounter waves or heavier seas. Fortunately, at least for the time being, this ocean is quite calm, which may be why they decided to leave today-a window of opportunity that can't always be predicted. -March 31, 2012.
Memorial BridgePortsmouthNHBridge DeconstructionPortsmouthKittery Memorial BridgeSterling EquipmentExcaliburBarge Cape CodTug Miss YvetteRiverside Pickering Tug Creole Miss
High atop the Kittery tower. Deja vu? Soon the same cast of characters, now well rehearsed, get to do it again. -April 4, 2012
Memorial BridgePortsmouthNHBridge DeconstructionPortsmouthKittery Memorial BridgeSterling EquipmentExcaliburBarge Cape CodTug Miss YvetteRiverside Pickering Tug Creole Miss
Now that the south span has been floated away, the demolition of the Portsmouth end approach ramp begins. Water is sprayed over the area to keep the concrete dust down to a minimum. -April 4, 2012.
Memorial BridgePortsmouthNHBridge DeconstructionPortsmouthKittery Memorial BridgeSterling EquipmentExcaliburBarge Cape CodTug Miss YvetteRiverside Pickering Tug Creole Miss
The Portsmouth outer buttress, or pier, which once supported the south span and tower, is all that remains of the Portsmouth side of the Memorial bridge. -April 4, 2012
Memorial BridgePortsmouthNHBridge DeconstructionPortsmouthKittery Memorial BridgeSterling EquipmentExcaliburBarge Cape CodTug Miss YvetteRiverside Pickering Tug Creole Miss
First section of counterweight removed from the Kittery tower. Lifting straps are in place for the next two sections.Notice the cavity at the top of the counterweight which allowed for the addition of more weight if ever necessary.-April 4, 2012
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Excalibur, having removed the first of the Kittery tower's four counterweight sections, must take a break. It seems that one of her lifting cables has frayed which makes for very unsafe lifting.She will be moved to the "salt piles pier" for repairs once again. April 4, 2012
Memorial BridgePortsmouthNHBridge DeconstructionPortsmouthKittery Memorial BridgeSterling EquipmentExcaliburBarge Cape CodTug Miss YvetteRiverside Pickering Tug Creole Miss
Although no evidence of any bridge activity at 0700, by 0845 the Cape Cod had been positioned under the north span(Kittery span), three tugs were in place and cutting of the last few sections of metal securing the bridge to its foundation was well underway. Here, the incoming tide has lifted the barge with span and the process of moving this section has begun. -April 21, 2012
Memorial BridgePortsmouthNHBridge DeconstructionPortsmouthKittery Memorial BridgeSterling EquipmentExcaliburBarge Cape CodTug Miss YvetteRiverside Pickering Tug Creole Miss
The north span is pivoted around its pier. From here she will be floated across the river(called a stream by the crew from Charleston) to the Portsmouth side where she will be temporarily secured to the Portsmouth side pier. -April 21, 2012.
Memorial BridgePortsmouthNHBridge DeconstructionPortsmouthKittery Memorial BridgeSterling EquipmentExcaliburBarge Cape CodTug Miss YvetteRiverside Pickering Tug Creole Miss
The north span is secured to the Portsmouth side pier while she is made ready for her journey to Boston Harbor. Later in the morning, the Amquip Crane Barge will be stationed alongside her while those final preparations are made. Look to the span's left and you'll see her point of origin, the Kittery approach ramp and pier. -April 21, 2012
Memorial BridgePortsmouthNHBridge DeconstructionPortsmouthKittery Memorial BridgeSterling EquipmentExcaliburBarge Cape CodTug Miss YvetteRiverside Pickering Tug Creole Miss
At 6:00pm on Saturday April 28, 2012,the Kittery side Span(north span) begins her journey to Boston Harbor. A strong westerly breeze is all that's needed to get her underway once her lines are cast. -April 28, 2012
Memorial BridgePortsmouthNHBridge DeconstructionPortsmouthKittery Memorial BridgeSterling EquipmentExcaliburBarge Cape CodTug Miss YvetteRiverside Pickering Tug Creole Miss
Once clear of the pier and barge that held her fast, and now in the channel, the Cape Cod barge is rotated so that she is floated stern first down the Piscataqua on her way to the open ocean. The Miss Yvette(tug in the foreground) has her tow line attached to the Cape Cod's bow, which will require another rotation before she reaches the open ocean. -April 28, 2012.
Memorial BridgePortsmouthNHBridge DeconstructionPortsmouthKittery Memorial BridgeSterling EquipmentExcaliburBarge Cape CodTug Miss YvetteRiverside Pickering Tug Creole Miss
As bagpipes chant "Amazing Grace", the north span's procession continues. That's Kittery, Me in the background . -April 28, 2012
Memorial BridgePortsmouthNHBridge DeconstructionPortsmouthKittery Memorial BridgeSterling EquipmentExcaliburBarge Cape CodTug Miss YvetteRiverside Pickering Tug Creole Miss
The Memorial Bridge's north span continues her journey, passing by the old naval prison(The Castle). Guiding her are the Miss Yvette on her starboard side and the Creole Miss on her port side. -April 28, 2012.
Memorial BridgePortsmouthNHBridge DeconstructionPortsmouthKittery Memorial BridgeSterling EquipmentExcaliburBarge Cape CodTug Miss YvetteRiverside Pickering Tug Creole Miss
Just before rounding the Coast Guard Station in New Castle,NH, the Cape Cod and her cargo are rotated one final time placing them bow first behind the tug Miss Yvette. This will be the last time any of us will look upon, and through, what was once one of the Seacoast's most iconic structures. April 28, 2012
Memorial BridgePortsmouthNHBridge DeconstructionPortsmouthKittery Memorial BridgeSterling EquipmentExcaliburBarge Cape CodTug Miss YvetteRiverside Pickering Tug Creole Miss
And then there was none! Well, at least for a little while. All that remains of the Memorial Bridge are the piers which once supported the bridge's structure. Stay tuned, however, as reconstruction begins for the much anticipated reopening of the new Memorial Bridge in July of 2013.-June 15, 2012
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