Penobscot Narrows Bridge & Observatory
Photo: Richard Ricciardi, Flickr
The Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Observatory stand in the heart of Midcoast Maine, spanning the Penobscot River and linking Prospect with Verona, just south of Bucksport. The bridge is one of only four in the world to have observatories, and the only one in the United States. Located 420 feet in the air at the top of the western pylon, it gives visitors a 360-degree panoramic view of the river, the bay, and the surrounding Maine countryside.
The observatory's design reflects the history and character of the region. At ground level, the interior floor and exterior terrace are paved with granite, and the wall sheathings and entry facings also use granite. In a nod to neighboring Fort Knox, the observatory entryway and iron gate were designed to echo the granite pediment of that historic site. Interpretive panels at the top and base of the observatory help explain the historical, transportation, and natural history significance of one of the most beautiful locations on the Penobscot River.
The bridge's granite theme grew out of community discussions during the design process. Meetings with the community helped balance regional aesthetics, construction realities, maintenance costs, and the need for an unprecedented delivery schedule. Because the community wanted a traditional-looking bridge, the design incorporated a granite theme honoring the role of stone in the local economy. MaineDOT also drew inspiration from the Washington Monument, which was built partly with granite from nearby Mount Waldo, leading to the obelisk shape of the bridge's main support towers.
Most bridge projects of this scale take at least a decade, but the Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Observatory were completed in just 42 months, from concept to opening. MaineDOT used an owner-facilitated design-build process in which MaineDOT, Figg Engineering Group, and the Cianbro/Reed & Reed joint venture worked together sequentially to design and build the bridge. The result was an award-winning $85 million bridge that honors the region's history while serving as a landmark of modern engineering.
