I-95 Portsmouth Bridge Closed: Latest Updates and Traffic Detours

The Piscataqua River Bridge, carrying Interstate 95 between Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and Kittery, Maine, is one of the most critical gateways in New England. As the primary connector for commercial freight and tourism between the two states, any disruption here creates immediate, widespread gridlock.

When the bridge is closed—whether due to police activity, severe weather, or emergency maintenance—drivers are often left with few options and little information.

This guide provides the latest protocols for navigating a closure at the Portsmouth line and the best detour strategies to keep you moving.

Why Is the I-95 Portsmouth Bridge Closed?

Closures on the I-95 bridge are rarely scheduled during daylight hours. If you are facing a standstill, it is likely due to one of three scenarios:

1. Police Activity (Most Common): The most frequent cause for a sudden, total shutdown of both northbound and southbound lanes is law enforcement responding to a person in distress. These situations are volatile and require a complete halt of traffic to ensure the safety of first responders.
2. Severe Accidents: The bridge’s high elevation and exposure to wind can lead to vehicle rollovers or jackknifed tractor-trailers. Because the bridge lacks wide shoulders in certain segments, a major crash often forces authorities to close all lanes to clear debris.
3. Emergency Structural Repairs: While rare, the New Hampshire and Maine Departments of Transportation (NHDOT and MaineDOT) may close lanes rapidly if bridge inspections reveal critical issues with expansion joints or decking that pose an immediate risk to tires and suspension.

Official Detour Routes

When I-95 is impassable, traffic is diverted to local roads. However, Portsmouth and Kittery are historic towns with narrow streets that clog instantly. Knowing which bridge to choose is the key to saving time.

Option 1: The Route 1 Bypass (Sarah Mildred Long Bridge)

• Best for: Commercial trucks and heavy freight.
• The Route: This bridge is located slightly upstream from I-95. It connects the Portsmouth Traffic Circle to Kittery.
• The Risk: It is a lift bridge. If a large vessel is passing through the river, this bridge may also be closed to traffic for 10-15 minutes, compounding delays.

Option 2: The Memorial Bridge (Route 1)

• Best for: Passenger cars and local traffic.
• The Route: This bridge connects downtown Portsmouth (near Scott Avenue) directly to Badger’s Island in Kittery.
• The Warning: Do not take a semi-truck this way unless directed. The approach goes through the heart of downtown Portsmouth, which is tight, pedestrian-heavy, and difficult to navigate with large rigs.

Option 3: Route 236/Route 4 (The “Long Way” Around)

• Best for: avoiding total gridlock during long-duration closures.
• The Strategy: If the closure is expected to last several hours, drivers heading north may benefit from exiting I-95 well before Portsmouth (Exit 3 or 5) and utilizing Route 4 toward Dover to cross the river further upstream at the Spaulding Turnpike (Route 16), though this adds significant mileage.

Survival Tips for Portsmouth Traffic Jams

Navigating a closure in this area requires patience and situational awareness.

• Check the Boards: NHDOT utilizes electronic message boards as far south as the Hampton tolls. If you see “I-95 BRIDGE CLOSED,” take the very next exit. Do not drive up to the closure hoping it will clear; you will be trapped.
• Avoid the Traffic Circle: The Portsmouth Traffic Circle is the first place traffic fails when I-95 shuts down. If possible, use back roads like Market Street or Woodbury Avenue to access the alternate bridges, bypassing the Circle entirely.
• Summer Considerations: If this occurs on a Friday in July or August, delays can extend back to the Massachusetts border. In these instances, stopping for a meal in Portsmouth or Hampton until the incident clears is often more efficient than idling on the highway.

Stay Informed

In a closure situation, GPS apps often lag behind real-time events. For the most accurate status updates, rely on official sources:

• New England 511: Visit newengland511.org for camera feeds and official closure times.
• Local Authorities: Follow the New Hampshire State Police or Portsmouth Police Department on social media for immediate updates on incident clearance.