Facts About the Penobscot Bridge Observatory

View east. Bridge foundation from the bridge that was built in 1929 and removed when the new bridge opened in 2006. All photos Fishermen's Voice

• 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.

• 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.