Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. The Waldo Hancock Bridge was the first long-span suspension bridge erected in Maine, as well as the first permanent bridge across the Penobscot River below Bangor. The name comes from connecting Waldo and Hancock counties. The bridge was retired in 2006 as the new Penobscot Narrows Bridge was opened just a few yards away.The bridge is 2,040 feet (622 m) long with a clear center span of 800 feet (244 m) between towers. It has two 350 foot (107 m) side spans and carries a 20 foot (6 m) wide roadway with two 3-1/2 foot (1 m) sidewalks. It uses stiffening trusses that are 9 feet (2.7 m) deep. Each of the main suspender cables is 9-5/8 inches (24 cm) in diameter, and consists of 37 strands of 37 wires. The deck is 135 feet (41 m) above water level to allow passage of large ships. The total cost of the span was less than $850,000 in 1931 dollars (about $10 million in 2006 dollars), significantly under its allocated budget.