Memorial Bridge's North Span Takes Shape

Archer Western Contractors crews have wasted no time in constructing the North Span for the new Memorial Bridge. Within three weeks after the South Span was successfully floated in, crews began assembling the North Span.

On Thursday afternoon, the crews were at it again. The North Span's frame of steel girders began to take shape within the past few days at the New Hampshire State Pier.

Steve Del Grosso, who serves as Archer Western Contractors project manager for the Memorial Bridge, previously said the North Span would be floated in to the Kittery, Maine approach on Badger's Island in mid-March. The operation to transport the North Span to the Kittery side of the Piscataqua River will be similar to the way the South Span was moved.

Portsmouth Pilot tugboats will escort the Cape Cod barge and the North Span and maneuver it into place so that it will rest on top of the Kittery approach and two pier pilings. Archer Western Contractors crews will then weld the North Span into place.

According to Archer Western Contractors officials, the new Memorial Bridge that will once again link Portsmouth and Kittery is right on schedule to be completed on July 6.