Sakonnet River Bridge

The Sakonnet River Bridge is a steel truss structure that spans the waterway to connect Portsmouth with Tiverton. It accommodates four lanes of traffic and serves as a vital link between Aquidneck Island and mainland Rhode Island.

The bridge was built in 1956 to replace an older structure from 1795 that had damaged piers. The previous crossing required frequent openings to allow boats to pass through.

The engineering design incorporates three Pratt truss units with vertical components operating in compression and diagonal members functioning in tension.

The crossing carries Rhode Island Routes 24 and 138 over the water and is a major traffic route in the area. You can travel across it by car or use local transportation services.

The middle section has a distinctive feature where the lower support extends above the roadway. This allows passing ships a clearance of about 65 feet beneath the structure.

Location: Portsmouth

Inception: 1956

Official opening: 1956

Length: 1,868 m

GPS coordinates: 41.63840,-71.21330

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:25