Pope Memorial Bridge, Spanning East Machias River at U.S. Route 1, East Machias, Washington County, ME

Significance: The Pope Memorial Bridge is the fourth bridge in this location to cross the East Machias River, and the first to be constructed of reinforced concrete. The structure is a critical component of U.S. Route 1 as it links the central part of Washington County and the remainder of the state with the seacoast and the northeastern reaches of Maine. The graceful design of the three-arch, closed spandrel concrete structure is the work of Leonard Metcalf, a preeminent civil engineer and bridge designer of this period. The bridge was the first reinforced concrete arch bridge constructed in Maine, and is believed to be the oldest concrete bridge of any type still in use in the state. The construction of the bridge was privately financed by three descendants of William Pope and his seven sons, early settlers and entrepreneurs of East Machias, to whom the bridge is dedicated.
Survey number: HAER ME-61
Building/structure dates: 1902 Initial Construction