Despite the delays during the removal of Portsmouth's Memorial Bridge lift span, a crowd of fascinated bystanders constantly filled the piers and docks around the iconic structure through the day and night Wednesday.

By 8:30 p.m., the giant barge “Cape Cod” had fully taken on the load of the lift span.

The crowd's long wait was rewarded at 10:20 p.m. when work crews successfully floated the lift span. The barge carrying the span was tied to the state pier near the Sarah Mildred Long bridge, where it was secured for transport to a salvage yard in Everett, Mass.

The two fixed spans on either side are scheduled to be floated out in March.

The lift span was lowered for the last time around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday as crowds whooped and cheered.

For many, the moment was bittersweet.

Helen MacMellon grew up in the area, but now lives in Amherst, Mass. She drove up on Tuesday to watch the scheduled removal, and then stayed the night at The Sise Inn when it was delayed until Wednesday. She said she had made a trip to the outlets in Kittery, Maine, to buy warm weather gear.

She said she came because she wanted to be part of the historic event.

Apparently, so did many others.

► Photo gallery: Memorial Bridge float-out

Dan Denman of Rye recalled growing up in Portsmouth, and the daredevils he knew who jumped off the bridge — including one who climbed up the curved ladder to the top of the tower on the Portsmouth side.

“I have seen it virtually every day of my life and to see it go away is going to be a shocker,” Denman said. “To me it's kind of a nostalgic thing.”

As sparks flew from welders dismantling the darkened structure Wednesday night, he said it is also exciting from an engineering aspect,.

Portsmouth Police Chief David “Lou” Ferland said the project is a reminder that change is part of life.

“Even bridges don't last forever,” Ferland said. “And as sad as it is to see it go down, we will be equally happy to see the new one go up.”