Mount Hope Bridge Celebrates 90th Birthday

BRISTOL, RI — A lot has changed in Rhode Island over the past nine decades, but East Bay standby has remained the same. On Thursday, the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority marked the 90th anniversary of the Mount Hope Bridge, which was officially dedicated on October 24, 1929.

To celebrate the anniversary, the ridge will be lit up with red, white and blue lights from Thursday through Sunday.

The two-lane suspension bridge connects Portsmouth and Bristol. At the time of its design, the bridge was cutting-edge, one of the first to use artistic lighting and color in its design.

For 40 years, the bridge was the longest suspension bridge in New England, spanning 6,130 feet. In 1969, it was eclipsed by the Newport Pell Bridge, which celebrated its golden anniversary this past June.

"The Mount Hope Bridge is truly historic, critically important, and has served us well
during the last 90 years. It is appropriate for Rhode islanders to take a moment to
reflect on this engineering marvel and to celebrate its 90th birthday," Buddy Croft,
the executive director of the RITBA, said in a statement.

Over the years, the bridge has received several facelifts to keep it safe and up to standard, the department said, and it is frequently inspected.