Marion Memorial Bridge

I have lived 0ver 48 yrs near this bridge and see it every day. it has bese on of the most frustratung things to see this bridge traated like a piece of junk , just today fdrove to HALETOEM LOOK LIKE DRIDGE IS ABOUT ATH DESTROYED WJHY HAS THE TRUTH NEVER BEEN TOLD OPN THIS HISTORIC BRIDGE, IT IS STOMACH TURNING THE WAY THIS BRIDGRE HAS BEEN TREATED, SHAME ON OUR OFFICIALS AND TDOT ANMD BRIDGE BUILDER FOR JUNKING HISTORY OPF hALETOWN AND SHOWING DISRESPECT TO OUR VETS SHAME ON YOU ALL.

JACKWOOTEN THIS WAE SHORT COLULD OF SAID MORE MUCH MORE ON THIS SUBJECT. jackwooten37@yahoo.com

I visited this bridge today. I've added 40 photos to the page. They've already started construction for the new bridge. One pier is complete and another is under construction. Does anyone have any updates on the fate of the historic bridge?

This is so sad- last time I went across this bridge was back in March of 2010. I took a video going across it, but the phone it was on has since bit the dust. :(

I had been across this bridge once when I was a kid because we missed our turn for I-24 leaving Chattanooga, but I did get to drive across it once in December 2010 on our way from Tullahoma to Pigeon Forge. My wife, half-asleep but aware we had left the Interstate, asked me, "Where the hell are we going?" I replied, "It's a shortcut."

I attended the closing ceremony yesterday, Jan. 9. Sad to see it go, but one just can't stop the march of time.

Don't hold it in your mouth... let it out in a...

Seen this bridge many times in my life. I am sad to know this bridge will soon be no more......kind of makes me wanna throw up in my mouth a little bit.

I just made the trip through the area last year and took a few photos from I-24 heading north.

I passed this beautiful span on many occasions during my frequent trips from Florida to Indiana and back between 1984 and 1993. It was a landmark that I always looked for and enjoyed seeing each time and even made a couple of stops to visit.

The thought of seeing those graceful trusses replaced with a nondescript and utterly mundane slab makes me glad that I no longer make that trip!

Article about this bridge with a nice mention of frequent contributer, Mr. Holth:

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2011/dec/28/tdot-to-close-marion-bridge-jan-9/

Went pass bridge yesterday, and its still standing as of now. though it looked like TDOT vehicles were parked on the north shore of the bridge.

Thanks for the info! I should have known better LOL! Often, I get obsessed with getting the pictures that I forget about my own safety. Not that the bridge is going to get up and run away from me, but I still get caught up in the magnificence of these old bridges any time I'm privileged to photograph one. Will definitely check out the safety gear.

Calvin,

Over at HistoricBridges.org, we use lightbars on our cars and reflective vests on our bodies. Keeps our cars and bodies safe, especially when deck and road widths are narrow and traffic volumes are high, and we tend to get less of those "strange looks" from people because we are dressed appropriately for the job at hand. You can order this sort of safety equipment easily over the Internet.

Since the powers that be have scheduled this elegant superstructure for demolition, I elected to go and capture as many pictures of this magnificent bridge as possible. They are posted.

I will indeed miss its majestic artwork. Surely, the local folks can save it as a pedestrian bridge. It's on the National Register after all.

If you visit, DO SO AT YOUR OWN RISK! There is absolutely no place to park anywhere near it. I parked and walked up to it, and got strange looks from passing cars, including two state troopers.

Probably safer to just enjoy the pictures..I didn't miss anything.

There are several reasons why. One, the area prior to the construction of the lake floods, and the bridge needed to be long enough to allow traffic in average flooding conditions. Two, the road grades were high, and the bridge needed to be long enough to connect to the road grades on each side beyond the projected flood areas.

How was this bridge built in 1929 if Nickajack Lake didn't exist where the bridge is today until a new dam was built downstream from it in the 60s some time? Hales Bar Dam, which was the original dam from 1913 that created Nickajack Lake was upstream from the bridge.

Surely the bridge didn't have to be as long as it is now before it spanned the lake prior to 1968 or thereabouts?

Is it certain that there wasn't a totally different bridge there before 1968?

Thanks for any insight!

Being from Indiana and living in Florida from 1984-1993, I made many trips back and forth. I found this bridge while traveling I-24 on one of those trips. I believe it is a K-truss of sorts. A beauty that I hope stays around for a long time.

I drove across the bridge today, it's seems like it's still in good shape. I had forgotten just how narrow it is, a white knuckle ride for sure...lol

This bridge is scheduled for replacement in Spring of 2008, provided they can get the money. A group of concerned citizens is working currently to get the bridge listed on the NRHP.