Have you ever been to the top of a bridge? I’m not talking about a bridge that crosses a small stream. I’m speaking of a huge bridge, one that spans at least 2,120 over a major river and whose supporting towers rise to 420 feet? If you haven’t, then a trip to the Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Observatory in Maine should be in your future.
A tale of two bridges
The Penobscot Narrows Bridge was built to replace the older Waldo-Hancock Bridge. The former bridge was opened to the public in 1939, and it was big deal to Maine at the time. Before this bridge was constructed, motorists who wanted to get to the other side of river had to either take a ferry across or drive another 27-miles to Bangor and cross there.
During renovations in 2003, it was discovered that the support cables were corroded and were beyond repair. Maine would need a new bridge.
The state decided to go all out in building its new bridge. Maine granite was used in the construction, and the support towers were modeled after the Washington Monument. When all was said and done, the new Penobscot Narrows River bridge was 2,120 feet long and 447 feet high. It also boasts the only bridge observatory in the US and the tallest in the world that’s open to the public.
After only 42 months of planning and construction, Maine opened the new Penobscot Narrows River Bridge in 2007. So, in bridge terms, it’s pretty new.
Not bad. Not bad at all. Knowing all this, how could you not want to go to the top up the observatory and check it out? Benny and I knew that we had to go to the top.
The Penobscot Narrows Bridge Observatory
Getting to the base of the observatory is really easy, especially if you’re coming from a visit from nearby Fort Knox. If you’re in the Fort Knox parking lot, there’s a short road that will lead to you to another, smaller parking lot. From there, there’s a short paved path that will lead you to the entrance of the observatory.
If you were thinking you’d have to climb to the top Bunker Hill style, fret not! There’s an elevator that you take up. Benny was incredibly happy that the stairs were emergency only, because he knows that I would have opted to climb up every step to make it “worth it.” Once inside, you give your ticket to a friendly staff member and you go into the elevator.
According to the staff member, the elevator going to the top is the tallest and fastest elevator in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont! It also brings you higher than the height of the Statue of Liberty.
The top of the Penobscot Narrows Bridge
As you exit the elevator, you’ll walk to the right and climb a few stairs to get to the top. If you’re unable to climb steps, there’s a wheelchair lift available.
The views from the top are breathtaking. Because of the glass enclosure, there’s a little bit of glare in the photos.
Before I took this video, there was someone standing here for about 15 minutes taking what seemed like hundreds of photos. I couldn’t blame him, but I also wanted to take one too! When he finally left, I ran to the corner to take this video. Honestly, it took many takes because I couldn’t pronounce “Penobscot” correctly.
The compass rose on the floor of the observatory is based on the one found on Samuel de Champlain’s 1613 map of the area. Champlain traveled past here in 1604. For those of you that know me, you know I can’t resist giving a shout-out to the French explorer who founded Quebec City. Yes, I was completely dorking out.
Crossing the Penobscot Narrows Bridge
There’s no toll to cross the bridge in your vehicle, so come and go as you please. We took these videos as we were crossing the bridge. Props to my wife Christina for recording while I was driving!
Need more information on the Penobscot Narrows Bridge?
For current fees to get into the observatory, check out the State of Maine’s website. When we went, a combined Fort Knox/Observatory ticket cost $8 per person for out-of-staters and $6 for Maine residents.
You can also check out the official site for the Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Observatory. There’s a cool video that describes the construction of the new bridge.
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The Penobscot Narrows Bridge Observatory is in Prospect, Maine, and can be reached through the Fort Knox Historical State Park.
Pictures were beautiful!!
It was a gorgeous spot!