Mark Twain Memorial Bridge

The Mark Twain Memorial Bridge spans the Mississippi River with four traffic lanes connecting Missouri and Illinois. The structure uses a truss design that extends approximately 1,370 meters across the water.

The original bridge opened in 1936 under President Franklin D. Roosevelt and served as a crucial link between the states for decades. The current structure replaced it in 2000 to meet modern traffic demands.

A stone carving of Mark Twain greets travelers at the Missouri entrance, honoring the author who grew up in Hannibal. This tribute shows how deeply the town connects its identity to the writer's presence here.

The bridge carries Interstate 72 and U.S. Highway 36, making it a major crossing point over the river. Traffic can build up during peak hours, so plan your crossing accordingly.

The bridge eliminated a dangerous sharp curve on the Missouri approach, which had caused safety concerns for decades. The wider design with modern safety features made crossing significantly safer for drivers.

Inception: 1936

GPS coordinates: 39.71611,-91.35278

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:41