We see it a lot more often during tourist season than outside of it, but regardless of the time of year or whether it’s from a tourist or local, the same sentiment is constantly echoed.
The I-95/Piscataqua River Bridge that connects Maine and New Hampshire always seems to stir up emotions. And, for the most part, it depends on which direction you’re driving.
Constantly in various Facebook groups, multiple posters and commenters will echo the sentiment that as they cross the bridge from New Hampshire into Maine, they feel at home with a full heart, and as they cross it going the opposite way, they feel a slight emptiness and sadness.
But I’d like to offer a different, alternative, possibly controversial view — it’s possible to feel at home no matter the direction you cross the bridge.
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Welcome to Maine
I get the feeling, too. You take that final bend toward the right along 95, having passed the final Portsmouth, New Hampshire, exit a few miles back, and see that spectacular green steel structure in your path.
You feel the slight bump as your vehicle leaves the concrete above the ground and enters the concrete of the bridge. You look up, see that “Welcome to Maine” sign, and smile a bit. A few seconds later, you feel another bump, leaving the bridge, finding your vehicle on the concrete above the ground once again.
But this time, you’re in Maine, and suddenly your soul feels lighter and you get that “I’m home,” feeling. Because for a lot of us, Maine is the state we call home every day.
Welcome to NH
But here’s the thing. Other than a couple of years in Oklahoma, I’ve lived in New England my entire life, and most of those years were spent in New Hampshire. So, while others feel a sense of sadness, emptiness, and heaviness when they cross the bridge leaving Maine, I don’t.
That same feeling I described above as you cross the bridge entering Maine? I get that same feeling when I cross the bridge leaving Maine and entering New Hampshire, too. Because both states feel like home to me. Both states are home to me.
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And maybe I’m one of the lucky, rare ones. Because, yes, the Piscataqua River Bridge/I-95 Bridge/Whatever-You-Call-It-Personally Bridge — it brings on a lot of emotion. But for me, no matter whether I’m driving north or south or heading into Vacationland or the Granite State…
…that emotion is always, “I’m home.”
Mainers Share 20 Things That Make Maine the Best State in the US
CONCORD – While Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte has said she opposes increasing highway toll rates across the state, the Senate voted Thursday to increase rates for out-of-state license plate holders.
It now goes to the House for consideration.
This would be a $1 increase for those who have out of state plates going through the tolls at Hooksett, Hampton and Bedford for out-of-state plates, a 75 cent hike for those taking Hampton’s Exit 2 and on the Spaulding turnpike at Rochester, and a 50 cent hike for those taking the exit off I-93 to Hooksett.
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An analysis in the bill shows that this would increase toll revenue by $53.3 million in fiscal year 2027 and go up each year to generate $81.4 million a year in 2036.
Senate Bill 627 passed on a voice vote with two Republicans, Senators Regina Birdsell of Hampstead and William Gannon of Sandown opposing.
Senator Mark E. McConkey, R-Freedom, moved to take the bill off the table and offered an amendment. He said the last time there was a systemwide increase to the turnpike toll was 19 years ago.
“I am sure we could all agree the cost of operations…has continued to escalate when revenue is not rising with it,” and he noted that with an enterprise fund, the state can only spend what it takes in.
The state has just completed a 10-year highway plan and there was a $400 million shortfall in projects that could not be paid for under the current income.
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McConkey said the measure would not increase tolls for New Hampshire drivers with a state license plate.
“Why don’t we ask our neighbors,” to pay a toll increase. “We are getting the best of all worlds,” by passing the bill, he said, including “protecting our residents” and having resources for improvements to the turnpike system.
Sen. Gannon, R-Sandown, asked McConkey if there are any studies on impacts near the border on businesses.
If implemented, McConkey said the state will be the 27th lowest in per mile cost still. McConkey said the bill would also increase from seven to 14 days the amount of time for those with NH license plates to pay for a toll adding there are other states that also have different rates for out-of-state users.
The Hampton toll cost would go from $2 to $3, while Hooksett and Bedford would rise from $1 to $2 for out-of-state plates.
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New Hampshire currently has the lowest rate per mile among states with tolls roads. The governor said she does not support a toll increase.
“We are not going to put a burden on drivers for a toll increase,” Ayotte said. “Families are struggling.”
WILTON, N.H. (WHDH) – A woman died in a Wilton, New Hampshire, house fire Wednesday morning, according to the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office.
At 9:08 a.m., Wilton firefighters responded to Burns Hill Road after a caller said their home was filling up with smoke. When they arrived, a single-family home was on fire and they found out two people were still inside on the second floor.
A man and a woman were both taken out of the house by firefighters and taken to Elliott Hospital. The woman was pronounced dead and the man is in serious condition.
Officials have not released the name of the victim at this time.
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At this time, investigators are looking into the cause of the fire and are trying to determine if a power outage in the area played a factor. The fire is not currently considered suspicious.
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