Verona ? The Penobscot Narrows Bridge Observatory will be opening for visitors on Saturday, May 18th.
Hours of operation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. until June 30th. From July 1st through August 31st, the hours will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and from September 1st until October 31st the hours will be 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
For safety reasons, the Observatory was delayed in opening due to the demolition of the Waldo-Hancock Bridge. The final support cables were cut from the bridge this morning, enabling workers to clear the area of the Observatory. While work is still being done in the area, visitors will enjoy full access to the breathtaking views the Observatory has to offer.
Fun facts about the Observatory:
The Penobscot Narrows Bridge is the only bridge observatory in the United States, and only one of four bridge observatories in the world.
The Penobscot Narrows Bridge opened on December 30, 2006, and the observatory opened on May 19, 2007.
The bridge spans 2,120 feet from the east shore to the west shore, and there is 135 feet between the water and the bridge?s travel surface.
The bridge cost $85 million to design and build. This bridge was planned, funded, designed, permitted and built in only 42 months.
In the two years since the observatory opened, over 130,000 visitors have visited the observatory to enjoy the dramatic views of the surrounding area.
The top of the Penobscot Narrows Bridge is 447 feet tall. The observatory is 420 feet above the river and offers 360 degree views of the surrounding area.
The design of the Penobscot Narrows Bridge incorporates a granite theme to honor the significance that granite has in the local economy.
The Washington Monument was partially built with granite from nearby Mt. Waldo, leading to the design of the two towers in the shape of the Washington Monument.
The observatory floor is tiled in granite that was cut from a quarry in Deer Isle.