Harahan Bridge, Railroad bridge across Mississippi River in West Memphis, United States.
Harahan Bridge is a railway bridge spanning the Mississippi River between Tennessee and Arkansas. The steel structure uses cantilever and truss design to support two railroad tracks, with a narrow walkway for pedestrians and cyclists running along the north side.
The bridge opened in 1916 and was named after James Theodore Harahan, president of the Illinois Central Railroad, who died during its construction. It became an important link for rail transport across the Mississippi in this region.
The bridge connects Memphis, a center of music and civil rights history, with West Memphis through its steel construction and railway infrastructure.
The walkway on the northern side is the best way to experience the bridge on foot, offering direct views of the river and structure. Visit during daylight hours for the clearest sight of the steel framework and surrounding landscape.
Building the bridge required willow mats to stabilize the riverbed before installing pneumatic caissons in the varying river conditions. This innovative approach solved the challenging problem of constructing a stable foundation in the shifting Mississippi riverbed.
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