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The Hernando de Soto Bridge Opens in 1973

Imagine a massive steel arch stretching across the Mississippi River, connecting Memphis, Tennessee, to West Memphis, Arkansas. This was the Hernando de Soto Bridge, a monumental project that faced numerous challenges before its completion in 1973.

Planning for the bridge began in 1960 as part of the Interstate 40 alignment studies. The goal was to create a direct route between Memphis and Little Rock, Arkansas. However, disagreements between Tennessee and Arkansas over funding delayed the project. Tennessee officials believed both states should share the costs equally, while Arkansas wanted Tennessee to pay a larger share due to its higher population. Eventually, a compromise was reached, with Tennessee funding 60% and Arkansas covering the remaining 40%.

Construction began on May 2, 1967, with an initial completion target of 1971. Despite these efforts, the project faced multiple delays, pushing the opening date to August 2, 1973. The bridge, named after the 16th-century Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto, became a vital link between Tennessee and Arkansas, significantly enhancing regional connectivity.

The bridge's design was unique for its time. It featured a continuous cantilevered cable-stayed steel through arch, with bedstead endposts. This design was similar to the Sherman Minton Bridge between Louisville, Kentucky, and New Albany, Indiana, except that it consisted of a single-level deck. The distinctive "M" shape of the bridge led locals to nickname it the "M Bridge."

The completion of the Hernando de Soto Bridge marked a major milestone in Tennessee's infrastructure development during the early 1970s. It not only improved transportation efficiency but also symbolized the region's progress and unity.


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