Bailey Island Bridge, Road bridge between Bailey Island and Orr's Island, Maine, United States
Bailey Island Bridge is a road crossing that connects two islands in Maine across the Will's Gut waterway using a distinctive granite construction. The structure features a cellular design with open spaces that permit tidal currents to move freely beneath the roadway surface.
The structure was built between 1927 and 1928 following a successful campaign by local fishermen for a direct connection between the islands. The project emerged from a genuine need to improve access for people whose livelihoods depended on moving between the two areas.
The bridge demonstrates how islanders engineered a direct link between two communities, representing the practical problem-solving spirit of Maine's coastal people. It stands as a testament to how local needs drove tangible change in the region's infrastructure.
The crossing is part of Route 24 and has a concrete roadway with pedestrian sidewalks installed in 1951 to ensure safe passage for all users. Visitors can walk or drive across the structure and experience the open design that provides views of the waterway below.
The structure uses roughly 10,000 tons of granite blocks from Yarmouth quarries arranged in an open crib pattern that exists nowhere else in the world. This distinctive construction technique allows water to pass through while maintaining a stable roadway surface.
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