Chain of Rocks Bridge, Footbridge across Mississippi River in Illinois
Chain of Rocks Bridge is a shared-use bridge across the Mississippi River in Illinois, linking Madison to St. Louis and stretching 1,632 meters in length. The steel construction features an unusual bend in the middle that sets the structure apart from other river crossings.
The structure opened in 1929 for automobiles as part of Route 66 and served for decades as an important crossing over the river. After closure to road traffic, the span transformed into a pathway for pedestrians and cyclists.
The structure takes its name from a series of rock formations that once made river navigation difficult along this stretch of the Mississippi. Today walkers and cyclists use the former automobile crossing as a quiet route between two states.
Parking areas are available at both ends to make access to the crossing easier. The surface accommodates both bicycles and walking, with the section over the water covering about two kilometers.
The steel construction features a 22-degree turn that was needed at the time to avoid water intake facilities. This rare bend makes the crossing on foot or by bike an unusual experience halfway over the river.
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