Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 239, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 October 1916 — Memphis Preparing to Dedicate Immense Bridge [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Memphis Preparing to Dedicate Immense Bridge

• » EMPHIS, TENN.—Almost on the spot where De Soto stood when he first /V\ Razed upon the Father of Waters rests the eastern pier of the great Harahan bridge th'at spans the Mississippi river, connecting Tennessee and

Arkansas. The bridge, with its approaches, is three miles long, hns cost *8,000,000 and will be fully completed this winter and formally dedicated next April. It will have required three yearsrtind a half to build. In Its construction 23,000 tons of steel are used. The spans over the channel of the river total one mile, while on the Arkansas side there are two miles of steel and stone construction over the low river bank district. The bridge

Is 55 feet above the highest water ever known. This will permit steamboats to pass under it at high water without passing through a draw. When the river is at extremely low stage the upper works of the bridge tower almost 150 feet above the surface of the river. Two railroad tracks cross the bridge, besides a spacious driveway for wagons and automobiles, and sidewalks for foot passengers. Wagon and foot traffic will pass free of charge. The celebration of the completion of the bridge, which will be held next April, will be the occasion of the greatest pageant ever held in this part of the Mississippi valley. Assurances have been secured front the navy _departir.ent that battleships, submarines and other will participate in the celebration. Among the craft will be floats of historical character, and the fact that the Memphis pier rests on or near the spot where De Soto discovered "fhe~fiver Will ba made th 4 basis tff a TeTebration In honor of thegreat Spaniard. _ ?,