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Million Dollar Bridge (Maine)
Encyclopedia
The Million Dollar Bridge was a bascule bridge
built in 1916 which carried traffic on Route 77 over the Fore River
in Maine
between Portland
and South Portland
.
Permits to construct the Million Dollar Bridge were issued by the Secretary of War
in 1893. The bridge was designed in 1914 and opened to traffic in 1916. The bascule span provided a horizontal clearance of 100 ft (30.5 m). Originally owned by Cumberland County
, the bridge was transferred to the Maine Department of Transportation in 1959.
In 1993, construction began on the higher Casco Bay Bridge
; the new bridge is on a new alignment just east of the original bridge, and is also a bascule bridge. During construction of the new bridge, the Million Dollar Bridge was hit by the Liberia
n Tankship Julie N.
on September 27, 1996, and emergency repairs were made. The Casco Bay Bridge opened in 1997.
Bascule bridge
A bascule bridge is a moveable bridge with a counterweight that continuously balances the span, or "leaf," throughout the entire upward swing in providing clearance for boat traffic....
built in 1916 which carried traffic on Route 77 over the Fore River
Fore River (Maine)
The Fore River is a short horn-shaped estuary, approximately long, separating Portland and South Portland in Maine in the United States. Many of the port facilities of the Portland harbor are along the estuary, which is formed just southwest of Portland by the confluence of several creeks...
in Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
between Portland
Portland, Maine
Portland is the largest city in Maine and is the county seat of Cumberland County. The 2010 city population was 66,194, growing 3 percent since the census of 2000...
and South Portland
South Portland, Maine
South Portland is a city in Cumberland County, Maine, United States, and is the fourth-largest city in the state. Founded in 1895, as of the 2010 census, the city population was 25,002. Known for its working waterfront, South Portland is situated on Portland Harbor and overlooks the skyline of...
.
Permits to construct the Million Dollar Bridge were issued by the Secretary of War
United States Secretary of War
The Secretary of War was a member of the United States President's Cabinet, beginning with George Washington's administration. A similar position, called either "Secretary at War" or "Secretary of War," was appointed to serve the Congress of the Confederation under the Articles of Confederation...
in 1893. The bridge was designed in 1914 and opened to traffic in 1916. The bascule span provided a horizontal clearance of 100 ft (30.5 m). Originally owned by Cumberland County
Cumberland County, Maine
Cumberland County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maine. As of 2010, the population was 281,674. Its county seat is Portland, and is the most populous of the sixteen Maine counties, as well as the most affluent. Cumberland County has the deepest and second largest body of water in the...
, the bridge was transferred to the Maine Department of Transportation in 1959.
In 1993, construction began on the higher Casco Bay Bridge
Casco Bay Bridge
The Casco Bay Bridge is a bascule bridge that spans the Fore River, connecting South Portland and Portland, Maine, USA.-History:In 1987 the state of Maine, in concert with surrounding towns, concluded that the existing Million Dollar Bridge, which was almost 70 years old, was inadequate for current...
; the new bridge is on a new alignment just east of the original bridge, and is also a bascule bridge. During construction of the new bridge, the Million Dollar Bridge was hit by the Liberia
Liberia
Liberia , officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Sierra Leone on the west, Guinea on the north and Côte d'Ivoire on the east. Liberia's coastline is composed of mostly mangrove forests while the more sparsely populated inland consists of forests that open...
n Tankship Julie N.
Julie N.
The Julie N. is a Liberian Tanker that was involved in an oil spill occurring on the Fore River on September 27, 1996, in Portland, Maine. The 560 ft ship was carrying over 200,000 barrels of heating oil and was headed towards a docking station in South Portland to unload its...
on September 27, 1996, and emergency repairs were made. The Casco Bay Bridge opened in 1997.
External links
- Post-Accident report by the National Transportation Safety BoardNational Transportation Safety BoardThe National Transportation Safety Board is an independent U.S. government investigative agency responsible for civil transportation accident investigation. In this role, the NTSB investigates and reports on aviation accidents and incidents, certain types of highway crashes, ship and marine...
after September 27, 1996 accident