Foundation work has begun on a new Waldo-Hancock bridge over Maines Penobscot River. The $65-million single-plane, cable-stayed concrete segmental structure will incorporate an observatory deck in one of two pylons to view nearby historic Fort Knox. But steel proponents think the design choice is too costly and are lobbying for language in the new federal transportation bill to require dual design alternatives on major structures.
Public planning meetings covered options such as a suspension bridge and a single-pylon cable-stayed bridge. Fort Knox ultimately influenced design, says Bruce Van Note, Maine Dept. of Transportation deputy commissioner. The 420-ft-tall pylons will be obelisk-shaped, like the Washington Monument. Local granite also used in Fort Knox will be used on the bridge.