A new bridge between Hampton Beach & Seabrook in NH is being built by Massachusetts contractor, SPS New England Inc. (SPS NE). The $107.5 million project involves replacing the Neil R. Underwood Memorial Bridge, which spans the Hampton River and is being built to the west of the existing bridge. Once opened, it will feature two 11-foot travel lanes, two 6-foot sidewalks, and two 8-foot shoulders to improve traffic flow and accommodate emergency vehicles more efficiently.  

SPS New England, Inc. (SPS NE) is a prominent construction company specializing in bridge, highway, transit, and marine construction. This employee-owned company, founded in 1984, is known for its expertise in Design-Build projects, having pioneered the first heavy-lift bridge construction project in Massachusetts. They have completed numerous accelerated projects and have incorporated award-winning Alternative Technical Concepts to enhance project design and value. SPS NE's dedication to innovation, safety, and quality has earned them a solid reputation in the industry. 

The existing Neil R. Underwood Memorial Bridge, built in 1949, is in poor condition and has been on New Hampshire's "red list" of deficient bridges since 1999. It is considered functionally obsolete, meaning it is insufficient for the 18,000 vehicles that travel over it daily during peak season. Over the years the bridge has undergone multiple rehabilitations, including a deck replacement in 2010 and emergency repairs to its lift mechanism in 2018. Despite its poor condition, the bridge is still safe for use, but it requires significant attention and maintenance. The new bridge project aims to address these issues by providing a more modern and efficient structure and is expected to be fully completed by June 2028, with traffic flowing by September 2026. 

The bridge will feature steel components for its superstructure, providing strength and durability; precast concrete forms will be used for the footings of the piers, ensuring a solid foundation; drilled shaft foundations will be installed for the piers for stability and support, and temporary cofferdams will be used during the construction of the pier footings. These materials have been chosen for their durability and ability to endure the environmental conditions of the area. 

For the pile driving portion of the replacement, SPS NE will be installing 24"(In) pipe foundations to support the new bridge structure using two newly purchased ICE® 50B Vibratory Driver/Extractor packages until they reached vibratory refusal. A new ICE® I-46 Diesel Impact Hammer in ICE ® Leads paired with a Final Tier 4 ICE® Model 55T Power Unit were then used to drive the piles further to final capacity. SPS is also taking special measures, such as using temporary pipe piles to support a trestle, driving sheet piling in the abutments, and utilizing an ICE® 90-degree Clamp Turning Plate in some tight spots. Another added benefit of temporary pipe piles is that they can often be extracted and reused for other projects, making them a cost-effective solution as well. 

While visiting this site, International Construction Equipment, Inc. (ICE®) personnel commented on how SPS NE crew's attention to detail and safety on this project was exceptional. Way to go, SPS New England Inc.! The replacement of the Neil R. Underwood Memorial Bridge will offer several significant benefits to the area including improved traffic flow, enhanced safety, reduced maintenance costs, and various economic benefits to the local community all while minimizing its environmental footprint, ensuring a more sustainable infrastructure solution. These improvements will collectively contribute to a more reliable and efficient transportation network in the area that all residents and travelers of NH will appreciate. 

Learn more about the ICE® 50B  and our array of ICE® Clamping Systems 

Media Contact-                
Pollyanna Cunningham, MA, MBA               
Vice President Marketing, Brand and Media Relations   
Vice President IT and IT Comm           
ICE® - International Construction Equipment, Inc                
Office - 704-821-8200          Email - marketing@iceusa.com