Jefferson Barracks Bridge, Road bridge across Mississippi River between Illinois and Missouri, United States
The Jefferson Barracks Bridge is a road bridge crossing the Mississippi River between Illinois and Missouri using two arch structures that span about 1.2 kilometers total. The bridge carries six lanes of traffic on two major routes while allowing river vessels to pass underneath.
An original steel truss bridge opened in 1944 as the first permanent crossing at this location. The current structure was built in two phases, with the northern section completed in 1983 and the southern section in 1992.
The bridge name connects to Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery and military complex, established in 1826 as a significant regional military installation.
The bridge is open daily for through traffic and handles about 63,000 vehicles each day. The clearance underneath is sufficient for river vessels to pass through, and there is adequate space for various types of watercraft.
Before the bridge was built, people crossed the Mississippi using the Davis Street Ferry from the Carondelet neighborhood. This ferry service was once the only way for commuters and travelers to cross the river at this location.
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