Existed: 1926 – present North end: US 1 in Kittery, ME Length 27.43 km | South end: US 1 in Salisbury, MA Counties: Rockingham Constructed 1926 | |
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County Rockingham County, New Hampshire | ||
In the U.S. state of New Hampshire, U.S. Route 1 is a major north–south state highway through Hampton and Portsmouth. It lies between Interstate 95 and New Hampshire Route 1A.
Contents
Memorial Bridge closure
The Memorial Bridge, which formerly carried US 1 over the Piscataqua River between New Hampshire and Maine, was closed to motorists in July 2011 due to numerous safety and structural concerns. This was a permanent closure following two instances in 2009 and 2010 when the bridge was closed for emergency repairs. The bridge was, however, left open to pedestrians and bicyclists, as it was the only of the three river bridges allowing for these methods of travel. On January 9, 2012, the bridge was closed to pedestrians and cyclists as well. The middle lift section was removed on February 8, leaving a 300 foot (91 m) gap in US 1.
Over the next two years, the bridge was demolished and removed, and a new drawbridge was constructed in its place. In the interim, access to US 1 on each side of the gap was facilitated by either the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge, which carries US 1 Bypass, or the Piscataqua River Bridge which carries I-95. The New Hampshire Department of Transportation operated hourly shuttle service between Portsmouth and Kittery while the new bridge was constructed.
The new bridge was officially dedicated at a ceremony on the New Hampshire side of the span just before noon on August 8, 2013. Former Portsmouth Mayor Eileen Foley cut the red ribbon, 90 years after she performed the same honors for the original span in 1923 when she was five years old. The bridge initially opened to only pedestrians and bicyclists. The new bridge - constructed over two previously existing piers - opened to vehicular traffic at 2:00 PM first with southbound traffic (Maine to New Hampshire), then northbound. Finishing work on the bridge was completed in late 2013.
History
US 1 follows the historic Lafayette Road through New Hampshire, named after the Marquis de Lafayette, who passed over the road in 1825.
Junction list
The entire route is in Rockingham County.
U.S. Route 1 Bypass
U.S. Route 1 Bypass is a 4.3-mile (6.9 km) bypass of US 1 in Portsmouth and Kittery, Maine. The route runs for 2.7 miles (4.3 km) in New Hampshire, and is mostly a four-lane divided semi-limited access freeway, although two four-way traffic signals are present south of the Portsmouth traffic circle. The southern terminus is at US 1 (Lafayette Road) just south of downtown. The highway continues northwest to the traffic circle, where it then turns northeast. US 1 Bypass crosses the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge and continues into Kittery, Maine.
New Hampshire Route 1A
New Hampshire Route 1A is an 18.32-mile (29.48 km) auxiliary of US 1 which runs along the Atlantic coastline. It runs from the Massachusetts border north to Rye, then turns toward downtown Portsmouth. The southern terminus of NH 1A is at the state line in Seabrook where it continues south as Massachusetts Route 1A. The northern terminus is at the junction with US 1 (Lafayette Road) in Portsmouth. For the length of the road’s run along the shore, its local name is Ocean Boulevard. In Portsmouth, it is known as Miller Avenue and Sagamore Avenue.
New Hampshire Route 1B
New Hampshire Route 1B is a 4.89-mile (7.87 km) auxiliary of US 1 serving the town of New Castle.
The southern terminus is at NH 1A in Portsmouth, near the city's southeastern boundary. The road loops around over Great Island in the Piscataqua River through New Castle and then back into downtown Portsmouth. The northern terminus is at the junction with US 1 at Prescott Park, near the Maine state line. The highway is signed north-south, but forms a half-loop for most of its route.
Due to US 1 being routed onto the Memorial Bridge adjacent to the intersection with NH 1B, traffic from NH 1B must loop around State Street and Harbor Place to access US 1 in either direction. Harbor Place defaults onto Daniel Street, which carries US 1 south into Market Square. A hard left onto Wight Avenue will cross over to US 1 north to Maine. Southbound traffic on US 1 must use Chapel and State Streets to access NH 1B.
Junction list
The entire route is in Rockingham County.