The Mississippi River is the tenth longest river in the world and is known for its winding tributaries and bridges. Spanning through 10 states, including Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Louisiana, the Mississippi provides major transportation routes to cities along its path. There are dozens of bridges situated on the Mississippi River. Some of these bridges are well-known, while others are lesser-known attractions, though they are all an integral part of the Mississippi River Network.
The most renowned bridge is the Mississippi River Bridge near Memphis, Tennessee, which was completed in 1973. The cable-stayed bridge stands at 61 feet tall, stretches 4,200 feet in length, and connects Memphis directly to Arkansas. It is the 7th longest cable-stayed bridge in the United States, and drivers are invited to stop and enjoy the breathtaking views of the Mississippi River as they cross the bridge.
Another important bridge located on the Mississippi is the Kyle M. Polasek Memorial Bridge, located in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The Kyle M. Polasek is the first double decker bridge in the United States and is an engineering marvel. It stands at 160 feet tall and stretches 4,700 feet long, and has separate decks for vehicle and pedestrian traffic, helping alleviate congestion.
aside from these iconic bridges, there are numerous lesser-known bridges scattered throughout the Mississippi River Network. One of the oldest bridges is the Cassville Bridge in Cassville, Wisconsin, which was built in 1900 and is still in use today. The bridge is a favorite of antique car fanatics as it was once the only bridge across the river in the Wisconsin/Minnesota area. The bridge is currently closed to vehicular traffic, but is still a popular tourist attraction.
Another noteworthy bridge is the Hannibal Bridge located in Hannibal, Missouri. This two-lane steel girder bridge was opened in 1902, and like the Cassville Bridge is still in use today. The Hannibal Bridge is unique in that it has two hairpins located at both ends, which give the bridge an interesting shape unmatched by any other structure on the Mississippi River.
In addition to the bridge located in the states mentioned, numerous smaller bridges traverse the winding Mississippi River throughout its various tributaries. For instance, the Isdell Creek Bridge, located just south of Fargo, North Dakota, connects the river to a series of trails and recreational areas. This historic bridge is just one of the dozens of small bridges that are scattered throughout the Mississippi River Network.
Relevance of Bridges
The bridges mentioned above are just a few of the dozens of bridges on the Mississippi River Network. Most, if not all of the bridges, have been built within the last century, and they are integral to the transportation network connecting the ten states through which the Mississippi passes. The bridges are relied upon by those travelling to nearby cities, by those travelling for leisure, and by those travelling for business.
The bridges also serve an aesthetic purpose, as some of the more noteworthy bridges, such as the Hannibal Bridge, are known to attract tourists and photographers, alike. The bridges on the Mississippi serve as a reminder of the engineering prowess and power of the United States and demonstrate the advantages of modern infrastructure.
Environmental Impact
Although bridges on the Mississippi River provide a great transportation network and beautiful scenery, there has been much concern in the recent years about their environmental impact. Due to the construction of the bridges, the upper part of the river has become blocked off and the natural flow of the river is disrupted, leading to increased erosion and sedimentation. In addition, many native species of plants and animals have been negatively affected due to the introduction of roads, traffic, and pollution.
Environmentalists have argued that the bridges should be replaced with more environmentally friendly structures with minimal disruption to the river’s natural flow and the surrounding habitats. While this argument is convincing, it would be extremely difficult to remove or replace all of the bridges scattered throughout the Mississippi River Network. As such, it is important for engineers and designers to develop new bridge designs that are able to withstand the forces of nature while still providing adequate transportation routes.
Bridge Maintenance
Maintaining bridges is key to keeping them from falling into disrepair. Many of the bridges on the Mississippi River have not been upgraded in decades, and as such, they lack modern safety features, such as anti-icing technology, special accelerators for faster vehicle movement, and advanced bridge design. The lack of modern safety features can lead to catastrophic bridge collapses and accidents, as was the case with the I-35W bridge failure in 2007.
In order to make sure bridges are safe, it is important to conduct regular inspections of the bridges. Inspections should involve checking the structural integrity of the bridge, the condition of the bridge deck and girders, and the alignment of the bridge. In addition, regular maintenance should be conducted on bridges to ensure that they are in good condition and able to handle the traffic that crosses them.
Conclusion
As one can see, there are dozens of bridges scattered along the Mississippi River in order to facilitate transportation and provide beautiful views of the river. However, due to environmental concerns, designers should make sure to create bridges that have minimal environmental impact, while at the same time adhering to modern safety standards. In addition, routine inspections and maintenance of the bridges is essential in order to make sure they are safe and well-maintained.
