Divers to Inspect Sarah Long Bridge Today

Divers will be in the water today, inspecting the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge's piers for possible damage from Monday's tanker crash.

New Hampshire Department of Transportation spokesman William Boynton said a cost estimate for the repairs may be available later today. He said four steel members were damaged and will require replacement. New Hampshire and Maine transportation officials are now working to secure a private contractor to perform the repairs, which are expected to take two to four weeks to complete.

The bridge's lift span remains operational to allow vessel traffic on the Piscataqua River throughout the repair period.

Gov. Maggie Hassan toured the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge damage with New Hampshire Department of Transportation Commissioner Chris Clement on Tuesday morning.

Clement said the damage caused by the Harbour Feature tanker from Madeira, Portugal when it slammed into the bridge after a mooring line snapped at the New Hampshire State Pier on Monday afternoon could end up costing more than $1 million to repair.