How Many Bridges Go Over The Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is a major river that flows through North America and has played an important role in the settlement history of the United States. Spanning 2,340 miles, it is the second longest river in the US and one of the world’s ten longest rivers. The river forms part of the boundary between many states on either side, including Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.
The Mississippi has long been an important transportation route, allowing resources and products to travel quickly from one part of the country to the other. As a result, many of the cities located along the river’s banks have become hubs for industry, shipping, and recreation.
To make traversing the river easier and more efficient, many engineers have proposed constructing bridges that span the Mississippi over time. Currently, there are about forty-six bridges that cross the river, and the number has grown significantly over the years. According to data from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), there were only three bridges that crossed the Mississippi in 1960. Each state with a border on the river has at least one bridge, though some states like Missouri and Iowa have multiple crossings.
The two longest bridges are those that span the river near Vicksburg, Mississippi and Hastings, Minnesota. The Hastings Bridge is the longest. Completed in 2001, it is a suspension bridge that stretches just over 800 feet. The Vicksburg Bridge, built in 1998, is a girder bridge that is nearly as long, spanning 774 feet.
Experts believe that the number of crossings over the Mississippi River will continue to increase in the coming years. The Mississippi River Commission and the AASHTO are currently studying different bridge designs and plan to continue building new crossings.
While the construction of so many bridges allows faster and more efficient transportation, there are some drawbacks as well. The building and maintenance of bridges over the river is costly, and states must share the costs among them. Additionally, the sheer number of bridges can limit the amount of commerce on the river itself. In fact, there have been multiple proposals to remove some of the crossings to make way for barge and other river traffic.
Environmental Considerations
Building bridges over the Mississippi River has also caused environmental concerns. Despite engineers’ efforts to reduce the impact on surrounding ecosystems, some of the projects have had a negative effect on the river itself. Species that rely on the Mississippi for important resources and migratory routes can be impacted by the construction and maintenance of the bridges.
In addition, the riverside environment can be significantly altered by the construction of bridges. The buildings’ weight can cause banks and islands to be displaced, increasing the erosion rate. For large suspension bridges, like the Hastings Bridge, the construction also affects water quality as the cables and construction materials used in the project can leak contaminants into the river.
As a result, engineers are taking extra care to address these environmental issues and to reduce the negative impacts of the bridges. Environmental experts are working closely with bridge engineers to minimize the potential long-term damage the crossings may cause.
Innovations in Bridge Design
New innovations in engineering offer the possibility of constructing bridges over the Mississippi River with fewer environmental impacts. For example, the use of prefabricated parts and lighter structures can reduce the amount of disruption caused by the construction process. Additionally, new design techniques make use of recycled materials, more efficient construction methods, and renewable energy sources, thus reducing the environmental impact of the bridges.
To further reduce the impact on the ecology of the river, engineers are exploring the use of lighter, non-traditional materials such as composites and alloys. These materials can reduce the overall weight of the bridge without sacrificing strength or safety. Some examples of these bridges include the Celestine Bridge in Minnesota and the Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge in Wisconsin.
In addition, high-tech engineering software is allowing for the implementation of simulations to monitor the stress on the bridge during construction. This technology has allowed for the development of new designs that make use of winds’ natural force, thus reducing the energy needed to construct large bridges.
Impact of Bridges on Mississippi River Traffic
As mentioned, the presence of so many bridges can limit the amount of river traffic on the Mississippi River. But, it’s important to note that the construction of the bridges has also allowed other forms of transportation to flourish. In fact, the number of freight barges and other vessels navigating the river has grown significantly in recent years. This is due in large part to improved infrastructure along the riverbanks and better access points to the river.
Thanks to the bridges crossing the Mississippi, there has been an increased amount of recreational activity on the river as well. The bridges have provided access points to the many scenic areas that line the Mississippi. This has made the river a popular destination for tourists and vacationers.
In addition, the presence of the bridges has made it easier for tourists and locals to cross between River states and sightsee along the way. This has resulted in increased economic activity and spending in many of the states the river passes through.
Are More Bridges Necessary?
While more bridges over the Mississippi River may reduce the amount of river traffic, experts have noted that additional bridges are not always necessary. Instead, river authorities have suggested improving existing infrastructure and expanding the network of access points to the river.
In fact, some states have taken active measures to limit the construction of unnecessary bridges on the river. On example of this is Arkansas. In 2012, the state legislature passed a law that requires new crossings to be approved by the General Assembly before construction can begin.
Despite this, others believe that the river could benefit from more than the current forty-six bridges. According to some experts, additional crossings in low-traffic areas could open up the river to more recreational opportunities and thereby improve the economic situation of many of the states along the Mississippi.
Effects on Local Communities
The presence of so many bridges over the Mississippi River has had a profound effect on the local communities that line its banks. For towns that were once only accessible by boat, the building of bridges has allowed easy transportation and trade with other communities. This in turn has led to increased economic activity in these towns, attracting tourists and businesses alike.
The bridges have also allowed some communities to become tourist destinations in their own right. Tourists now flock to the many towns along the Mississippi in order to take in the scenery and experience the unique culture of these places. This in turn has led to an increase in population and economic activity in the region.
Additionally, the bridges have provided an important bridge between different states in the region. They have served to ease the communication and commerce between the different states, leading to better relations and more economic development in the region.
Conclusion
Despite the abundance of bridges spanning the Mississippi River, there are still more to be built. The consortium of states that border the river are working together to build additional crossings while taking into account the potential environmental and economic impacts of the projects.
The bridges have created a vast network of access points to the river, enabling it to become an important transportation route and a popular destination for tourists. In addition, the bridges have had a positive effect on the local economies and communities along the river, fostering new trade and investment opportunities.
As the need for transportation, recreation, and commerce increased, the need for more bridges along the Mississippi River has become more evident. Despite the environmental and economic concerns, engineers continue to build new crossings. As the number ofbridges over the river continues to grow, so does the potential for new opportunities in the Mississippi Valley.
