The Revitalist

Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Observatory
Left is the Waldo-Hancock Bridge that was replaced by the Penobscot Narrows Bridge.

The NY Times has a nice piece today on a new bridge in Maine that is both beautiful and innovative. The Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Observatory is a test case for new technology for cable-stayed bridges (it's similar in style to Boston's Zachim Bridge). But it also includes an observatory in the tower where the public can view a 360* panorama of Maine's beautiful scenery. Originally the local population in Bucksport was opposed to such a modern design that differed from the beloved old suspension bridge that it replaced. But the designers included the observatory, hoped to be a tourist draw for the local economy, and several other features that related the bridge to the local environment. "At community meetings, people went from wanting to throw rotten tomatoes at us to say, 'Wow, this is cool.' " Now that's a success story.