Sarah Mildred Long Bridge, Railway and road vertical lift bridge in Portsmouth, United States
The Sarah Mildred Long Bridge crosses the Piscataqua River on two levels, with vehicles traveling on the upper deck and trains passing underneath. The lower section includes a movable lift span that rises to let boats pass through the navigation channel.
The bridge opened in 2018, replacing a 1940 structure that had connected the two states for generations. Its design reflects advances in engineering that allow it to handle contemporary traffic demands more efficiently.
The bridge design incorporated local community input, reflecting maritime traditions through its tower shapes and railing features that represent the working waterfront identity.
The bridge provides adequate vertical clearance of about 56 feet (17 m), which keeps lift operations to a minimum during normal traffic. Visitors can view the structure from both shore approaches and watch the lift span raise when boats need passage.
The structure serves three distinct functions at once: a roadway for vehicles, railway tracks, and a movable lift section for boats. This triple function allows daily traffic across state lines while still accommodating maritime passage through a single span.
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