Businesses Frustrated Over Memorial Bridge Delay

Business owners and local officials in Portsmouth and Kittery, Maine, are not happy that the new Memorial Bridge will not be open to motor vehicle traffic by this Friday, which is when the bridge contractor was supposed to complete the job.

After two years of losing a great deal of business from the bridge closure, Peter Iordanou, who has owned Badger’s Island Pizza for more than 25 years in Kittery, couldn’t contain his frustration.

“I told them that if the bridge is not opened by Friday at 12 noon, I am going to get into my two-seater and drive right through the gates,” said Iordanou on Thursday afternoon.

Iordanou said he has been told by Archer Western Contractors the bridge would be opened to motor vehicle traffic by July 3, July 10, and now July 19. He said he is very frustrated it is taking this long to complete the work.

For every day that Archer Western Contractors fails to complete the bridge, the company will have to pay the New Hampshire Department of Transportation a penalty of $25,000.

Neither Archer Western Contractors officials nor New Hampshire DOT officials have indicated when the bridge will be open to motor vehicle traffic after they announced Thursday a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new span will be held on Aug. 15.

Based on the state agency’s press release, the new bridge could be open to motor vehicle traffic any day between July 19 and Aug. 15.

On the Portsmouth side of the Piscataqua River, Mayor Eric Spear said he, too, was disappointed that Archer Western Contractors would not be able to meet their contractual deadline of July 19.

“I'm disappointed that it will not be open on Friday, but I'm sure the team is doing everything they can do open it as soon as possible,” Spear wrote in an e-mail.

The two-year closure of the Memorial Bridge has been especially devastating for State Street businesses that have managed to hang on until the new one once again opens to motor vehicle traffic.

That day can’t come soon enough for Googie’s Food and Provisions.

Ryan Cronin, who co-owns the convenience store and sandwich shop with his wife Crystal, said the couple has weathered the two-year bridge closure and the State Street improvement project that happened in 2010.

"At this point, we are hoping we have a good August. We've written July off," said Cronin. "What can you do at this point?"

Ben Anderson, executive director of the Prescott Park Arts Festival, said he is not concerned about the delayed opening. "I'm happy they are taking the time they need to ensure it is done correctly and safely. As demonstrated at our events, folks will find alternative ways around to make it to our festival events.
We look forward to celebrating its grand opening when it is ready," he wrote in an e-mail.

The former Memorial Bridge closed to all motor vehicle traffic in July 2011 and Archer Western Contractors crews have worked for nearly two years to complete the new $89.4 million bridge that will once again connect Portsmouth and Kittery, Maine.