Hutsonville Bridge

Hutsonville Bridge was a suspension span stretching 1,002 feet across the Wabash River, connecting Crawford County, Illinois to Sullivan County, Indiana. The structure rose roughly 70 feet above water level and featured a main span of about 350 feet, using a self-anchored suspension design that required no external cable towers.

Wisconsin Bridge and Iron Company built this span in 1939 as a modern transportation connection between the two states. R.V. Milbank served as the resident chief engineer and oversaw construction using advanced engineering techniques of the era.

The bridge served as a vital crossing point for communities on both sides of the Wabash River, where residents traveled daily between Illinois and Indiana. It anchored the local transportation network until it was retired in favor of newer infrastructure.

The bridge was designed to carry vehicle traffic, connecting Illinois Route 135 with Indiana State Road 154. Visitors should note that the original structure was replaced by a new bridge in 1988 and is no longer in use.

The bridge employed a self-anchored suspension system, a rare design approach that eliminates the need for external cable towers. Engineers Robinson & Steinman pioneered this innovative method for the 1939 construction, making it a notable example of this structural approach in early American bridge engineering.

Location: Indiana

Location: Illinois

Inception: November 18, 1939

Official opening: November 18, 1939

GPS coordinates: 39.11010,-87.65510

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:42