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Two towns - one community connected by the bridge

It connects the commercial heart of two towns:

• Kittery Businesses up to 50% of their traffic from across the bridge
• Portsmouth Businesses get up to 25% of their business from across the bridge.
• Portsmouth businesses are staffed by Kittery residents.

It provides the only pedestrian and bicycle link between the two towns:

• 50% of residents use it regularly for pedestrian or bicycle transit
• 89% of residents say it is critical for pedestrian transit
• 80% say it is critical for bicycles
• Bicycle and road races cross the bridge
• The ME-NH link in the 2500 mile East Coast Greenway

It connects religious congregations
Arts organizations span the bridge

Bridge History

Impact of Losing the Memorial Bridge

Businesses lose revenue:

• Kittery could lose 20%
• Portsmouth could lose 15%
• Staff drive rather than walk
• Tax revenues would suffer
• Sales tax
• Income tax
• Property tax

Community Life is Disrupted

• Congregations split
• Arts associations split
• Road races rerouted
• East Coast Greenway severed

Increased pollution

• Drive instead of walk or bike
• Ferry service?
• Where would people park?

Bridge Condition Critical

6% Sufficiency Rating

Current estimates say the bridge will last between 2 and 5 years.  The center lift span can no longer be repaired, it must be replaced.  Rust and general decay will lead to closure.