Eads Bridge

About This Business

The Eads Bridge is a historic combined road and railway bridge over the Mississippi River, connecting the cities of St. Louis, Missouri, and East St. Louis, Illinois. It is located on the St. Louis riverfront between Laclede's Landing to the north and the grounds of the Gateway Arch to the south. The bridge is named for its designer and builder, James Buchanan Eads, and was completed in 1874. As the first bridge across the Mississippi south of the Missouri River, the Eads Bridge pioneered the large-scale use of steel as a structural material and featured the deepest underwater constructions at the time, with foundations over 100 feet below water level. Its 520-foot center arch was the longest rigid span ever built at the time, and the bridge's construction utilized pioneering applications of caisson technology and the cantilever principle. The Eads Bridge became a famous image of the city of St. Louis and has been restored to carry both vehicular and pedestrian traffic. The bridge's significance extends beyond its functional role, as it has also played a part in the development of later bridges, including the Brooklyn Bridge. With its rich history and engineering feats, the Eads Bridge remains an important landmark and a testament to the innovative spirit of its designer and builder. The bridge's construction was a notable achievement in the field of civil engineering, and its completion marked a significant milestone in the development of transportation infrastructure in the United States. Today, the Eads Bridge continues to serve as a vital connection between St. Louis and East St. Louis, and its historic significance has been recognized through its inclusion on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The Eads Bridge is a remarkable example of 19th-century engineering and a enduring symbol of the city of St. Louis.