The Old Memphis Bridge Postcard

Opened December, 1949 this bridge crossing the Mississippi River between Arkansas and Memphis, Tennessee is called by most locals, the “Old Bridge”. Mainly to distinguish it from the “New Bridge”, or Hernando de Soto Bridge, upstream. The span is unusual among interstate bridges for the fact that it has a carriageway alongside the vehicular traffic lane that is capable of carrying both pedestrian and bicycle traffic. This area is positioned just outside the main steel support girders on the south side of the bridge and is accessible from the interstate right-of-way on the Arkansas side and a sidewalk access on the Memphis side. Due to safety concerns though the sidewalks have been closed to the public.