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Penobscot Narrows Bridge-Ft. Knox

NickNukeEm | Posted in Photo Gallery on August 12, 2007 03:00am

A month ago, while working at a bridge engineer’s house, I saw a photo of a bridge hung on a wall.  It wasn’t your standard suspension bridge, so I asked what it was.  Turns out it was a brand new bridge on the Penobscot river, near the mouth, on the grounds of Ft. Knox.  (Maine, not that other one.)  What makes this bridge special, is that it has an observatory built into one of the towers, the only one like it in North America, and only the third one open to the public in the world.

Every year we vacation on Lake Sebago, Maine.  This year, we drove the three hours (the bridge is south of Bangor) to take a ride up the tower and tour Ft. Knox.

The first set of pics are as we arrived on the north side of the bridge traveling on Rt. 1.

The bridge is called a ‘cable stay’ bridge, and each cable can be replaced, if necessary.

There are only two lanes of traffic, one on each side of the towers.

The cables are connected to the road bed down the middle.

“I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.”  Invictus, by Henley.

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Replies

  1. theslateman | Aug 12, 2007 03:19am | #1

    It's quite the engineering masterpiece.

    Care to purchase the old one??

    1. User avater
      NickNukeEm | Aug 12, 2007 03:23am | #3

      The old bridge cost like ~$850k when built new in the 1930's.  To get rid of it will cost 4-5 million.

       "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul."  Invictus, by Henley.

      1. theslateman | Aug 12, 2007 03:26am | #4

        I'm only a half hour away, but haven't taken the time to do the observation tower yet.

        They had a wedding up there a week or two ago.

        Walter

  2. User avater
    NickNukeEm | Aug 12, 2007 03:19am | #2

    The first pic is as we approached the tower.  There's a nice stone entrance at the base were you enter to stand in line for the elevator.  There were no lines that day.  The tower/bridge opened just this past May, I believe, so not a lot of interest in it yet.

    The elevator took 58 secs. to go up the 42 stories, which makes it the tallest and fastest elevator in the state of Maine. 

    The shot looking up inside the tower is of the elevator shaft.  You can see the underside of the road bed elevation at the top.

    There are three levels at the top.  The elevator lets you off on the bottom level, then you climb a short flight of steps to the second and third levels, with windows all around.

    It was a calm day, and I couldn't feel any swaying of the tower.  The observation is in the North tower (I think)

    "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul."  Invictus, by Henley.

    1. MikeSmith | Aug 12, 2007 05:44pm | #9

      that was worth the climb

      View Image

      they are just finishing the final cleanup of our old bridge....cost very big bucks taking that one down and cleaning upMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

  3. User avater
    jhausch | Aug 12, 2007 03:39am | #5

    Neat!

    THanks for sharing.

  4. User avater
    NickNukeEm | Aug 12, 2007 03:57am | #6

    The Route 1 entrance ramp to the new bridge had to be cut from ledge.  It took the removal of about 158,000 cubic yards of rock to make the new road.

    The old bridge is still standing, though is slated for demo at some indeterminate time in the future.  Although it cost over $800,000 to build in the thirties, it is expected to cost $4-5 million to dispose of.  Maybe some rich Texan needs a bridge for his cow pond.

    The insert into the observation tower floor is a compass from a map by Champlain.

    It costs $5 to get into the tower and Ft. Knox park.

     

    "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul."  Invictus, by Henley.

    1. CAGIV | Aug 12, 2007 07:07pm | #13

      How far is that from Boston

      1. alfie | Aug 12, 2007 07:18pm | #14

        Check these out for some unusual photos (hope they work):http://enr.construction.com/photoContest/2006/archives/2006-29.asphttp://enr.construction.com/photoContest/2006/archives/2006-5.asp

      2. User avater
        NickNukeEm | Aug 12, 2007 07:43pm | #16

        225 miles from Logan Airport. 

        It was a pleasant drive.  Maine has upgraded parts of the Me turnpike (I-95) though not that far east.  Secondary roads could use improvement, but then, so could most of the roads here in CT.

         "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul."  Invictus, by Henley.

      3. Piffin | Aug 13, 2007 04:03am | #21

        About 5-1/2 hours.It is just upstream of me 

         

        Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

  5. Lansdown | Aug 12, 2007 04:03am | #7

    You should look at some of Santiago Calatrava's work (Spanish engineer/architect).

    Also the Sunshine Bridge in Tampa / Bradenton.

  6. WayneL5 | Aug 12, 2007 04:58pm | #8

    Beautiful bridge (and nice photos).  Too bad they couldn't have removed the ugly utility wires (photo 003).  They really detract from the beauty of the bridge.

  7. timkline | Aug 12, 2007 06:25pm | #10

    this is a really nice post.

    thanks

    i'm surprised to see this level of expense for a two lane bridge.

    i guess the traffic is a little different in ME compared to PA

     

    carpenter in transition

    1. Linneus | Aug 12, 2007 06:52pm | #11

      What's $100 million amongst friends?

      1. timkline | Aug 12, 2007 07:03pm | #12

        is that what this bridge cost ??

         carpenter in transition

        1. Linneus | Aug 12, 2007 08:25pm | #17

          Yes, although rumor has it that the true cost could be as high as $130 million- a lot of money for a secondary road, but think of the view!

    2. mike_maines | Aug 12, 2007 07:27pm | #15

      I haven't travelled the new bridge yet, but I've been over the old one dozens of times.  It's heavily travelled in summer.  It's the shortest route from midcoast Maine (Piffinland) to Downeast Maine and the Canadian border.  The next closest route is up closer to Slateman, about 40 miles north.  In a state dependent on tourists that's too far out of the way.

  8. User avater
    NickNukeEm | Aug 12, 2007 08:36pm | #18

    Ft. Knox was built from 1844-1869, and is constructed from native Maine granite and brick.  It's located in Prospect Maine at the Penobscot River Narrows, and was built following British occupation of the eastern parts of Maine during the American Revolution and War of 1812.  The British occupied the area to take advantage of the lumber.

    The fort was named after the first American Secretary of War, Henry KNox, who had retired to the area.

    Construction on the fort was never completed, and a shot was never fired in battle, though it was manned by US forces during various parts of the ninteenth century, such as during the Spanish-American War, and the civil war.

    The first pic is from the bridge tower.  The fort is seen center foreground.  Its massive granite and earthen defences have lasted remarkably well over the last 150 years.

    The guy on the right in the second pic is Jeremy, my son.  He's a fourth year computer and electrical engineering student who had as much interest in the fort and bridge as I.  Great kid.  A good man, as well.

    The courtyard of the fort is flanked by officers quarters on the right and enlisted quarters straight ahead.  To the left are canon placements.

    The third photo shows one of two granite spiral staincases.  The stonecutters did a tremendous job on all the stone work here.  The tops of the parapets were sloped at just a few degrees to shed water away fromt he fort, and were relatively smooth, still.  My wife patiently waits for Jeremy and I to finish gawking at the grounds.

    "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul."  Invictus, by Henley.



    Edited 8/12/2007 1:37 pm ET by NickNukeEm

  9. User avater
    NickNukeEm | Aug 12, 2007 08:52pm | #19

    From the top of the fort, we took the spiral stairs and descended into the main battlement area of the fort.  There are actually two groups (batteries?) of cannons (I'm sure there are official military terms for some of this stuff, I just don't know them.) 

    Cannon palacements were made of granite, with curved iron plates for the cannon carriage wheels.  The cannon could be rotated left-right, as well as up and down.  A crew of eight men per cannon were required.  I'm assuming the tall, narrow windows on either side of the cannon port allowed for spotting the shot.

    The dark hall and iron door led to a room, which I assume was a powder room, though nowhere did it say as much.  Maybe cannon balls?

    "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul."  Invictus, by Henley.

  10. User avater
    NickNukeEm | Aug 12, 2007 09:03pm | #20

    What interested me the most was the brickwork on the ceiling.  Tons of brick in neat vaults and arches.  My son and I were speculating on how it was built when we found the information sign. 

    The final shot is a pic of the old and new bridges from the fort.

    There remains only one or two Rodman cannon at the fort.  During WWII, the rest of the cannon were removed for salvage to help the war effort. 

    "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul."  Invictus, by Henley.

    1. Piffin | Aug 13, 2007 04:09am | #22

      For those thinking of visiting, the Fort is defintiely more interesting than the bridge IMO!
      buthe bridge is ery stimulating to see, as is the new one in boston 

       

      Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

      1. User avater
        NickNukeEm | Aug 14, 2007 03:09am | #25

        My son and I spent a lot of time here, gazing up at the brickwork, amazed at the level of work by the masons.  In addition, there is a cannon there which we had to figure out how to elevate, how the carriage worked, etc. 

        You're right, the fort was a great place to visit.  It reminded me of Ft. McKinley in Baltimore.  I think they were built at the same time following the War of 1812 as part of a 30 or 40 fort coastal protection program.  Ft. Knox has two shot furnaces, McKinley has one, and they look similar, IIRC.  It's been 10 years of so since I was at McKinley.  History is great.  If only we would learn more from it, and save it for future generations.

        View Image"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul."  Invictus, by Henley.

        1. Piffin | Aug 14, 2007 03:45am | #28

          There actually was a naval battle fought here in Penobscot bay. The Brits surprised Jon Paul Jones up near Castine. He fought them off until dark when the battle went staale. Then instead of valiantly waiting for dawn and defeat, he scuttled and burnbt his own shipss and essccaped overland.That was in the revollutionary war or war of 1812 before Ft Knox, but interesting anyway. There is a hill on this island called Rebel Hill, beccause it was the only spot inland far enough that ships cannons could not reach it.I totally rebuilt one of the oldest houses here. It is called the Cannonbal house, because it had been hit by brit cannon in the war of 1812 

           

          Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

          1. User avater
            NickNukeEm | Aug 14, 2007 03:54am | #29

            The Ft. Knox literature called that battle the worst defeat of the US Navy until Pearl Harbor.  That, and the 1812 occupation, is what set the wheels in motion for the fort in that specific location.  I'm not sure if it precipitated the whole coastal protection program, however.

            Did you find any damage casued by the cannonball while renovating?  I figure that would be more exciting then some old geezers Playboys stuffed in the wall.

             "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul."  Invictus, by Henley.

          2. Piffin | Aug 14, 2007 04:02am | #31

            Nothing specific. It was actually three grapeshot that hit.There was a spot on one coirner nearest the bay that had the sheathing running vertically and poorly done, mkaking me imagine the women did the best they ould stitcching things back together while the menfolk were off to war.Remind me later. I have a photo of a ghost from up that way on my other computer 

             

            Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

          3. User avater
            NickNukeEm | Aug 14, 2007 05:01am | #32

            I have a photo of a ghost from up that way on my other computer

            I didn't think they photographed well : )

             "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul."  Invictus, by Henley.

          4. Piffin | Aug 14, 2007 05:32am | #33

            I'll let you judge that for yourself 

             

            Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

    2. User avater
      hammer1 | Aug 13, 2007 06:22am | #23

      You mean you missed the haunted grave in Bucksport? http://www.maine.rr.com/Around_Town/features2001/buckcurse/Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

      1. User avater
        NickNukeEm | Aug 13, 2007 03:05pm | #24

        Every October, my wife and I spend a weekend at the lake and take in local sites.  One of the things we both like to do is walk ancient cemetaries and read the markers.  If I had known about Bucks myth and the marker, I would have gone to see it.

        But, I look at it this way; it's a perfect excuse to go back!

         "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul."  Invictus, by Henley.

        1. mike_maines | Aug 14, 2007 03:57am | #30

          If I had known about Bucks myth and the marker, I would have gone to see it.

          Myth?  It's not a myth....

          You can see the boot driving by.  Used to creep me out as a kid.  Still does kinda.

           

          (Edit to say:  the boot isn't driving by, you know what I meant.)

          Edited 8/13/2007 8:58 pm ET by Mike_Maines

  11. FastEddie | Aug 14, 2007 03:12am | #26

    I think there is one of those outside of Austin (Texas, not the other one).  Been over it just twice so I'm not sure exactly where, southwest of town, still in Travis county.

    "Put your creed in your deed."   Emerson

    "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt

    1. FastEddie | Aug 14, 2007 03:42am | #27

      Looks like I might have been wr ... uh, er ... misinformed.  Wikipedia has a list of the cable stayed bridges in order of size.  There are several styles, not all have the center suports.  I didn';t see one in Austin.  But, I did see that the largest in the western hemisphere is the new one (2 yrs old) in Charleston."Put your creed in your deed."   Emerson

      "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt

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