Waldo-Hancock Bridge

I was reading through articles in the archives at a library. An engineer quoted said bridges would/should last 100 years. This was c. 1955. It would appear standards and opinions have changed since then.

This extremely significant David Steinman suspension bridge's spans have all been demolished. All that remains are the towers and substructure. This bridge was only allowed to stand for a mere 82 years, a fraction of the bridge's potential life, especially as a potential pedestrian bridge. Shame On Maine!

It is so sad to see this bridge is on its way out too. I used to take grandmother to Acadia National Park and went over this bridge, so many of these bridges are tied to memories involving childhood and grandparents and I am saddened that future generations won't have the experience of crossing bridges such as this one.

I failed to comment on the photo's for months. No secret, drive to the Fort Knox park entrance, pay small fee and ride the elevator up to top South tower of new bridge where there is a viewing room.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penobscot_Narrows_Bridge_and_Observatory

Mr. Holth mentions an important point in his earlier post. Listing on the NRHP does not guarantee that a bridge, or other structure will not get demolished. In theory, the structure is preserved as long as there is a reasonable and prudent alternative to demolition. This is subjective however. For example, one county or state might be willing to build a new bridge on a new alignment to avoid demolition, and a neighboring jurisdiction may not consider that to be a reasonable or prudent alternative.

I thought of that right away, too, although I think my pole mounted camera is JUST a few hundred feet short of taking photos like Craig's.

Hey J.R.

Whatever happened to that camera mounted to a GIANT pole that you used to have? Some of these photos put me in mind of that........did you ever patent that thing??

I also want to know about this so-called "viewing platform" mentioned here!

Also, to respond to the comment further down, it is EXTREMELY EASY to tear down any bridge or structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Hundreds if not thousands of historic bridge listed on the National Register have been demolished. The National Register does not prevent demolition... all it does is require Section 106 and Section 4(f) to take place if federal involvement exists.

Alright Craig, 'fess up. We all want to know, how did you get those wonderful photos? That "viewing platform" isn't open to the public, is it?

I thought they couldn't tear buildings or structures down that were posted to the National Register of Historic Places.

That's how I understood it. If it's on the NRHP, then it makes no sense to demolish it.

Attached are two photos I took in Feb 2008.

I just looked at the pictures of the new bridge and it sticks out like a sore thumb. We have to start maintaining these old bridges BEFORE they need torn down.

Too bad they have to demolish such a magnificent bridge. I would think that they would make something of a park out of it for pedestrians.