The Bibb Graves Bridge, also known as the Coosa River Bridge, is a "large multi-span rainbow

arch bridge An arch bridge is a bridge with abutments at each end shaped as a curved arch. Arch bridges work by transferring the weight of the bridge and its structural load, loads partially into a horizontal thrust restrained by the abutments at either si ...

" located in

Elmore County, Alabama Elmore County is a County (United States), county located in the east central portion of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the population was 87,977. Its county seat is Wetumpka, Alabama, Wetumpka. Its ...

, in downtown Wetumpka. The bridge crosses the

Coosa River The Coosa River is a tributary of the Alabama River in the U.S. states of Alabama and Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia. The river is about long.U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline dataThe National Map, ac ...

History

The Bibb Graves Bridge, designed by state bridge engineer Edward Houk, was built in 1931 to help connect the two parts of Wetumpka, which are separated by the

. The bridge is one of two in the state of Alabama "to be suspended by reinforced concrete." The bridge is named after

David Bibb Graves David Bibb Graves (April 1, 1873 – March 14, 1942) was an American Democratic politician and the 38th governor of Alabama 1927–1931 and 1935–1939, the first Alabama governor to serve two four-year terms. Early & personal life Graves was ...

, the 38th

Governor of Alabama A governor is an administrative leader and head of a polity or political region, in some cases, such as governors-general, as the head of a state's official representative. Depending on the type of political region or polity, a ''governor'' ma ...

, serving from 1927–1931 and 1935–1939, becoming the first Alabama governor to serve two four-year terms. Several scenes in the movie ''

Big Fish ''Big Fish'' is a 2003 American fantasy drama film directed by Tim Burton. It is based on the 1998 novel '' Big Fish: A Novel of Mythic Proportions'' by Daniel Wallace. The film stars Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Billy Crudup, Jessica Lange ...

'' were filmed on the Bibb Graves Bridge.

Structure

The Bibb Graves Bridge is 140.1 feet in length and has 12.5 feet vertical clearance above deck. It supports pedestrian, motor vehicle, and bike traffic. The bridge contains five concrete arches, classifying it as an

. Despite its age, the bridge maintains its integrity, though one "arch span is suffering from ASR cracking."

References

{{Authority control Bridges in Alabama Arch bridges in the United States Bridges completed in 1931 1931 establishments in Alabama Bridges on the National Register of Historic Places in Alabama