Talmadge Memorial Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Talmadge Memorial Bridge |
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| Coordinates | 32°5′20.67″N 81°5′55.68″W / 32.0890750°N 81.0988000°W |
| Carries |   US 17 / SR 404 Spur |
| Crosses | Savannah River |
| Locale | Savannah, Georgia |
| Official name | Eugene Talmadge Memorial Bridge |
| Other name(s) | Savannah Bridge |
| Maintained by | Georgia Department of Transportation |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | cable-stayed bridge |
| Total length | 1.9 miles (3.06 km) |
| Longest span | 1,100 feet (335 m) |
| Clearance below | 185 feet |
| History | |
| Opened | November 1991 |
The Talmadge Memorial Bridge is a large bridge in the United States. It crosses the Savannah River, connecting downtown Savannah, Georgia with Hutchinson Island. This bridge carries US 17 and SR 404 Spur. The first bridge was built in 1953. A newer, bigger bridge was finished in 1991, and it is also called the Talmadge Memorial Bridge.
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History of the Talmadge Bridge
The first Talmadge Bridge was built in 1953. It was a type of bridge called a cantilever truss bridge. Over time, this older bridge became a problem for the very large ships trying to enter the Port of Savannah. This port is one of the busiest seaports in the United States.
To help ships move more easily, a new bridge was built. The replacement bridge was finished in March 1991. The new Talmadge Memorial Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge, which means its deck is held up by strong cables connected to tall towers.
Why the Bridge is Named Talmadge
The bridge is named after Eugene Talmadge. He was the Governor of Georgia from 1933 to 1937 and again from 1941 to 1943.
When the new bridge was being planned, some people suggested naming it after Tomochichi. He was a Native American Creek leader who was important in the founding of Savannah in 1733. However, after public discussions, the name "Talmadge Memorial Bridge" was chosen again for the new structure.
Should the Bridge Name Change?
Eugene Talmadge held views that are now considered unfair and outdated, especially about race. For example, he supported rules that separated people based on their race. Because of his past, some people in Savannah, including the City Council, believe the bridge should have a different name. They feel it's not right to honor someone with such views.
However, changing the bridge's name is a decision made by the state government, not the city. Some state leaders still have sympathy for Talmadge.
In September 2017, the Savannah City Council voted to rename the bridge the "Savannah Bridge." A state representative said it was time to move past a name that reminds people of unfair separation. Another idea, supported by the Girl Scouts, is to name the bridge after Juliette Gordon Low. She was from Savannah and founded the Girl Scouts. Some people also argue that the 1991 bridge might never have been officially named "Talmadge Memorial Bridge" in state records.
Size and Features of the Bridge
The new Talmadge Memorial Bridge is very tall. It provides 185 feet (about 56 meters) of space for large ships to pass underneath. The main part of the bridge, where ships go, is 1,023 feet (312 meters) wide.
The main span of the bridge is 1,100 feet (335 meters) long. The total length of the bridge is about 1.9 miles (3.06 kilometers). It has four lanes for cars to drive on. The north end of the bridge connects to Hutchinson Island. Another older bridge connects Hutchinson Island to Jasper County, South Carolina.
Comparing the Talmadge Bridge to Others
People often compare the Talmadge Memorial Bridge to two other bridges that also carry US 17: the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge in Charleston, South Carolina, and the Sidney Lanier Bridge in Brunswick, Georgia.
The Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, finished in 2005, is only 1 foot (0.3 meters) taller than both the Sidney Lanier Bridge and the Talmadge Memorial Bridge. However, the Ravenel Bridge has eight lanes for traffic, while the Talmadge and Sidney Lanier bridges each have only four lanes. The Ravenel Bridge also has a special lane just for bikes and people walking. The Talmadge Memorial Bridge looks similar to the Alex Fraser Bridge in Vancouver, Canada.
Here's how their main spans compare:
- Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge: 1,546 feet (471 meters)
- Sidney Lanier Bridge: 1,250 feet (381 meters)
- Talmadge Memorial Bridge: 1,100 feet (335 meters)
And their total lengths:
- Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge: 13,200 feet (4.02 kilometers)
- Sidney Lanier Bridge: 7,779 feet (2,371 meters)
- Talmadge Memorial Bridge: 10,032 feet (3.06 kilometers), or 1.9 miles
Future of the Bridge
Savannah's port is getting bigger with the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project (SHEP). This project aims to make the port ready for even larger ships, called Neo-Panamax vessels. In 2018, officials said that the Talmadge Bridge might need to be replaced again if the port is to handle these huge new ships.
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