Hampton Bridge

Hampton Bridge is a steel road crossing spanning the Hampton River with a bascule design that opens to let boats pass underneath the structure. The crossing connects two shorelines across New Hampshire's coastal waters using this mechanical solution.

The current structure opened in 1949 and replaced the Mile-Long Wooden Bridge, which was the longest bridge in the United States during the early 1900s. This transition marked a shift from wooden to steel construction in this location.

The crossing carries the Neil R. Underwood Memorial Bridge name and links Hampton and Seabrook across New Hampshire's coastal waters. The name honors a local figure whose connection to the region is preserved through this infrastructure.

Visitors should know that the bascule mechanism operates frequently, especially during tourist season, to allow boat traffic through. Plan your crossing during times with less maritime activity to avoid waiting delays.

A new fixed high-level steel girder structure will replace the current crossing by 2027, eliminating the need for boat passage interruptions. This modernization will significantly change the daily driving experience.