Marion Memorial Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Marion Memorial Bridge |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Coordinates | 35°01′41″N 85°32′37″W / 35.0280°N 85.5435°W |
| Carries |   US 41 / US 72 |
| Crosses | Tennessee River and Nickajack Lake |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Truss bridge |
| Total length | 1,870 feet (570 m) |
| Longest span | 369 feet (112 m) |
| History | |
| Opened | 1929 |
| Closed | 2012, demolished 2015 |
The Marion Memorial Bridge was a metal bridge that used a special design called a truss. It used to carry U.S. Route 41 across the Tennessee River and Nickajack Lake in Marion County, Tennessee.
This bridge was built in 1929. The longest part of the bridge was 369 feet (112 m) long. The whole bridge stretched for 1,870 feet (570 m). It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. This list recognizes important historical places.
Contents
About the Bridge's Design
The Marion Memorial Bridge had a very unique design. It was a mix of two types of truss bridges. These types are known as Parker and K-Truss.
Why the Bridge Was Replaced
A new bridge was built to replace the Marion Memorial Bridge. This new bridge opened in November 2014. It was made of concrete and had a different design.
The old bridge was closed on January 9, 2012. This was because construction for the new bridge was happening very close by. Traffic was sent to the Interstate 24 bridge instead.
The Bridge's Final Years
The metal parts of the Marion Memorial Bridge were taken down. This demolition happened by June 2015. The bridge was then removed from the National Register of Historic Places in June 2016.
Some people in the area wanted to save the bridge. However, officials said it was too expensive to keep up. For example, painting the bridge alone would cost about $1 million.
Impact of Nickajack Dam
This bridge was built before the Nickajack Dam was constructed. The dam is located a few miles downriver. When the dam created a new reservoir (Nickajack Lake), the water level became higher. Because of this, the bridge had to be raised from its original height.
Similar Bridges
There were other bridges with a similar design in Tennessee. One was in Meigs County, Tennessee. It carried Tennessee Highway 58 over the Hiwassee River. This bridge was taken down in November 2007. Another similar bridge in Roane County was also removed.
