Mount Hope Bridge

Mount Hope Bridge is a suspension bridge that spans Mount Hope Bay, connecting Portsmouth and Bristol via Route 114. It features two traffic lanes and steel towers that rise prominently above the water.

Construction began in 1927 and the bridge opened in 1929, just days before the stock market crash on Wall Street. This structure marks an important moment in early infrastructure development for Rhode Island.

The bridge earned its place on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976, representing early 20th-century engineering and transportation development in Rhode Island.

The bridge is a toll crossing that connects the two communities on a major transportation route. Visitors should be aware that crossing times depend on traffic conditions.

Few visitors realize that the bridge underwent major reconstruction just before its opening to address structural problems found during inspections. Such modifications were uncommon during this era of bridge construction.

Location: Portsmouth

Location: Bristol

Inception: 1920s

Official opening: October 24, 1929

Length: 1,868 m

GPS coordinates: 41.63989,-71.25819

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:48