Tuscumbia Bridge

MoDOT has announced an August 16th ribbon cutting ceremony for the new bridge.

I am guessing that MoDOT's video you saw focused on the deck and bottom chord of the bridge. Because the DOT favors demolition, they will always show the worst parts of a bridge during their public presentations, and they always ignore the good parts of the bridge. The deck of this bridge was in extremely poor condition. The bottom chord was also in poor condition, because moisture and deicing salt always deteriorate these areas. However the majority of the truss, that which is above the roadway, such as the diagonal members, top chord, etc, are in decent shape. My diagnosis? Replace the deck, possibly replace the bottom chord, conduct repairs on other members, clean and repaint. Possible retrofit or heavy repair of substructure. A comprehensive rehabilitation was feasible in my view.

I saved a video of the Tuscumbia Bridge made by MoDOT. It shows that no matter how pretty that bridge is, it was in absolutely dreadful condition. I'm for historic preservation, but this one would have been tough to save.

I was born in Tuscumbia in 1956 (we lived in Rocky Mount) and since the Osteopathic Clinic was the closest medical facility, a drive across the bridge was inevitable. I have watched as the old Zebra bridge was replaced with a modern 4-lane (many of the old Lake area bridges have been lost to accomodate the increase in traffic), and my husband and I saw the last section of the Boonville Hwy 5 bridge demolished. Is there no way to save some of the older bridges? Isn't it worth a the extra expense to restore a historic structure than to lose it save a few pictures and memories? Many people look at historic bridges, buildings etc. as direct links to the past; OUR past.

I drive accross this bridge everyday to work, but the most breath taking view is when you are about to float under it. It is awsome. It would be worth your while to take the boat trip. GREAT PHOTO OPPS.

I too love this bridge. I have also heard talk about a new bridge but not sure when it will be built. If a new bridge is built i would like to see the old bridge kept around and used as a tourist attraction.

I too love the bridge. I live where I see it standing proudly everyday. I am sorry it is in such sad shape. I feel we need to repair it before it gets too dangerous to drive over. There is talk of a new bridge??

I love this bridge but it is in very poor condition. When you drive underneath in a boat you can sometimes feel small peices of concrete fall on you from overhead. This bridge is the focal point of many pictures I have seen and even some paintings. I especially love the view from the old courthouse in town