The Waldo-Hancock Bridge


Waldo Hancock Bridge Authorizing Legislation

Waldo Hancock Bridge Authorizing Legislation
Item 13794   info
Maine State Archives

An Act to Provide for Building a Bridge Across the Penobscot River, at or Near to be Known as the Waldo-Hancock Bridge. Public Law, Chapter 126, approved April 13, 1929.

The Act includes provisions for four people, plus the State Highway Commission, to serve as directors with the authority to plan and manage the project, and to acquire property. It also authorized tolls to be collected until the bridge expenses were met.

To see all four pages of the document, click on "view a full transcription."

Waldo Hancock Bridge dedication, June 9, 1932

Waldo Hancock Bridge dedication, June 9, 1932
Item 13929   info
Maine State Archives

The Waldo-Hancock Bridge was dedicated on June 9, 1932.

This clipping and the next three are from Governor William Tudor Gardiner's scrapbook in the collection of the Maine State Archives. This Bangor Daily News clipping is dated June 13, 1932.

Waldo-Hancock Bridge Dedication, June 9, 1932

Waldo-Hancock Bridge Dedication, June 9, 1932
Item 13930   info
Maine State Archives

Dedication clipping from Governor William Tudor Gardiner's scrapbook, Portland Sunday Telegram June 12, 1932

Waldo-Hancock Bridge Dedication June 9, 1932

Waldo-Hancock Bridge Dedication June 9, 1932
Item 13931   info
Maine State Archives

Dedication clipping from Governor William Tudor Gardiner's scrapbook in the collection of the Maine State Archives, Portland Press Herald June 10, 1932.

Waldo Hancock Bridge Prize Announced clipping, 1932

Waldo Hancock Bridge Prize Announced clipping, 1932
Item 13928   info
Maine State Archives

Dedication clipping, Kennebec Journal June 10, 1932.

The bridge was designed by Robinson and Steinman of New York who also supervised the construction. Although the Maine State Legislature appropriated $1.2 million for bridge construction, the bridge was built for $850,000.

In 1932 the bridge was awarded First Prize for the Most Beautiful Bridge constructed in the United States in 1931 by a committee of architects and engineers appointed by the American Institute of Steel Construction.

Waldo-Hancock Bridge, 1936

Waldo-Hancock Bridge, 1936
Item 13927   info
Maine State Archives

During the 1930s-50s, photographer George French captured the scenic bridge span on film for the Department of Economic Development.

View of Waldo-Hancock Bridge, 1936

View of Waldo-Hancock Bridge, 1936
Item 13920   info
Maine State Archives

George French photograph, taken from the approach to the bridge from the west side in Penobscot.

Waldo-Hancock Bridge, ca. 1948

Waldo-Hancock Bridge, ca. 1948
Item 13924   info
Maine State Archives

George French photograph.

Waldo-Hancock Bridge, ca. 1949

Waldo-Hancock Bridge, ca. 1949
Item 13925   info
Maine State Archives

George French photograph. Fort Knox can be seen on the right hand side of the photograph.

Memorandum of Examination of Waldo-Hancock Bridge January 15, 1959

Memorandum of Examination of Waldo-Hancock Bridge January 15, 1959
Item 13797   info
Maine State Archives

This Memorandum of Examination of the Waldo-Hancock Bridge from January 15, 1959 was written by Ray A. Tentmel, the Bridge Maintenance Engineer. It discusses the damage to the cable wrapping, the condition of the superstructure and vandalism to the bridge.

Intermediate Construction Inspection Report, November 9, 1961

Intermediate Construction Inspection Report, November 9, 1961
Item 13790   info
Maine State Archives

The inspection was completed in 1961 by R.W. Hove, Division Bridge Engineer for the US Department of Commerce, Bureau of Public Roads.

This two-page report includes sections on Progress, Work Completed and Overruns and Underruns.

Waldo-Hancock Bridge repairs, 1960

Waldo-Hancock Bridge repairs, 1960
Item 13792   info
Maine State Archives

The Waldo-Hancock Bridge underwent substantial repairs from 1959 to 1961. The next four photographs are from that project.

This photograph is a close-up view of the roadbed under repair, with exposed reinforcing iron bars (rebar).

Waldo-Hancock Bridge roadbed work, 1960

Waldo-Hancock Bridge roadbed work, 1960
Item 13791   info
Maine State Archives

This photograph shows the roadbed under repair with the workers in the foreground. The superstructure is still visible.

Waldo-Hancock Bridge Repairs by Maine Department of Transportation, 1960

Waldo-Hancock Bridge Repairs by Maine Department of Transportation, 1960
Item 13775   info
Maine State Archives

This photograph during those extensive repairs shows the exposed roadbed with workers in the background.

Waldo-Hancock Bridge work,  1960

Waldo-Hancock Bridge work, 1960
Item 13779   info
Maine State Archives

This photograph is a view toward Prospect from the bridge, showing the road surface and apparently the adjacent bridge footing. There are automobiles in the background.

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