The Sarah Mildred Long Bridge: A History of the Maine-New Hampshire Interstate Bridge

Built 50 years ago by the Maine-New Hampshire Interstate Bridge Authority, and renamed to honor the Authority’s long-time executive director, this bridge has long dominated the Piscataqua waterfront. The middle bridge of the three current Portsmouth bridges, the Interstate Bridge was opened to traffic in 1940, replacing an old bridge which was constructed in 1822. As part of the bridge construction, the authority also built a lengthy bypass to channel auto traffic away from the center of Portsmouth. Author Openo discusses the events which led to the unusual two-state project and he was fortunate in meeting the bridge’s resident engineer, H. Denton Peoples, who shared his memories and photographic collection of the project.
        The text includes a brief history of the early bridge, extensive details on the construction of the Interstate Bridge and a description of the operation of the bridge. Included are many anecdotes of various incidents connected to the construction and operation of the bridge. Many rare photographs, including aerial views, and charts, including a lengthy fold-out complement the text.