U.S. 1 Bypass provides an alternate route to Interstate 95 across the Piscataqua River between Portsmouth, New Hampshire and Kittery. A two-lane lift-bridge spans the river and the highway otherwise sees interchanges with Woodbury Avenue, Maplewood Avenue, and Maine 236. Historically the alignment provided the connection between the Maine and New Hampshire Turnpikes. The free section of Interstate 95 between the two toll roads was built in response to traffic congestion along the non-limited access U.S. 1 Bypass.
U.S. 1 Bypass North
No photos at this time.
U.S. 1 Bypass South
U.S. 1 Bypass south leaves the interchange with U.S. 1 south & Maine 236 (Harold L. Dow Highway) and approaches a signalized intersection with Gorges Road. Access is not controlled initially as a truck stop and hotel reside along the highway north of Maine 103. Photo taken 07/29/07.
U.S. 1 Bypass widens to four lanes between Gorges Road and the Maine 103 connectors (Oak Terrace, Bridge Street). The right-hand southbound lane defaults onto Oak Terrace ahead of the Piscataqua River lift bridge. Photo taken 07/29/07.
Reassurance shields for U.S. 1 Bypass include the word bypass within the shield itself. Pictured here is an example of such a shield south of the Gorges Road intersection. Photo taken 07/29/07.
A second draw bridge warning sign lies ahead of the Maine 103 under crossing along U.S. 1 Bypass south. Photo taken 07/29/07.
Maine 103 (Dennett Road) passes underneath U.S. 1 Bypass with no direct access. The north-south route links Kittery with South Elliot and Elliot Center to the north. Southward, Maine 103 ventures through downtown Kittery to Kittery Foreside and Seavy Island, home of Portsmouth Naval Base. Photo taken 07/29/07.
Oak Terrace loops underneath U.S. 1 Bypass at the Piscataqua River bridge, connecting the bridge with the Oak Terrace community and Maine 103 via Bridge Street. The ramp also facilitates u-turn movements for U.S. 1 Bypass north to Maine 236. Photo taken 07/29/07.
Beginning of the Piscataqua River Bridge along U.S. 1 Bypass southbound. A warning sign indicates that the bridge lifts every 30 minutes 7:15 AM to 6:45 PM. Officially named the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge, after a former Maine-New Hampshire Interstate Bridge Authority executive directory, the span opened in 1940.1 Photo taken 07/29/07.
Views of the Piscataqua River lift bridge southbound along U.S. 1 Bypass. Below the roadway deck is a second deck carrying a railroad line. The New Hampshire state line lies roughly midway across the river. Photos taken 07/29/07.
Scenes pertaining to U.S. 1 Bypass
Oak Terrace descends from the northbound side of U.S. 1 Bypass north and passes underneath the Piscataqua River lift bridge along the east banks of the river. The road continues to Bridge Street and Old Post Road, connectors joining U.S. 1 Bypass with adjacent Maine 103 (Cook Street). Photos taken 07/29/07.
The west end of Oak Terrace connects travelers with U.S. 1 Bypass south into Portsmouth, New Hampshire. New Hampshire 101, the east-west freeway between the Seacoast and Manchester is referenced here for some reason. Photo taken 07/29/07.
