Driving Across Maine’s Scariest Bridge Is A Thrill Ride

You may find yourself catching your breath when you ride over this crazy bridge!

The Deer Isle Bridge, also known as the Deer Isle–Sedgwick Bridge, is a brightly colored suspension bridge connecting mainland Maine, with Deer Isle. It also has swooping cables for support, which is part of what makes it so unique.

Over the long holiday break last week, I found myself meeting up with it once again. Even for my second time crossing it, I couldn't help but grip the steering wheel tight.

When I went over it around 4pm, the sun was starting to set, I was blinded by that late afternoon sunlight that can be a huge pain in the you know what. On my way back to Bangor, it was 7:30 in the morning, and foggy as hell. So it was an expereince to say the least.

My first time was about 6 years ago, I was taking an overnight trip to the Deer Isle-Stonington, for a little rest & relaxation (something I highly recommend) and I was told by a buddy of mine who drove for UPS in that area, to prepare to freak out a little bit when you finally get to the point to cross the bridge. Man, he is right.

The first thing you notice is that it looks like a giant on-ramp when you enter. Then, it is basically like driving up, and then down a hill. Also, for a bridge of that size, it is very narrow.

After the first few initial seconds of thinking "What the heck is this?" I relaxed and made it over, but I will say, for a moment or two, your only thought is "Whoa". It is pretty impressive, and kinda scary as well. Kinda like being on a roller coaster!

The Deer Isle Bridge was dedicated on June 19, 1939, when Maine Governor Lewis O. Barrows cut the ribbon that stretched across the $900,000 project’s entryway. It has a main span of 1,088 feet and crosses the Eggemoggin Reach.

A re-decking project was completed way in May 2008, and it was also repainted in 2010, but recently there have been some discussions about whether or not the bridge is a little out of date.

Who knows what the future holds for the Deer Isle-Sedgwick Bridge, but if you ever find yourself in that area, it is something you should experience!

Obviously, summer is when this area is hopping, and pretty much everything is closed for the season, but if you really want to get away from it all, the Deer Isle-Stonington area is a great place to just "chill" for a bit.

On social media, there have been plenty of people who took video of the moment they crossed this iconic Maine bridge