Rock Island Centennial Bridge
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| Rock Island Centennial Bridge | |
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| Carries | 4 lanes of US 67 |
|---|---|
| Crosses | Mississippi River |
| Locale | Davenport, Iowa and Rock Island, Illinois |
| Design | Steel arch bridge |
| Total length | 3,850 feet (1,173 m) |
| Clearance below | 170 feet (52 m) |
| Opening date | July 12, 1940 |
| Coordinates | |
The Centennial Bridge, or Rock Island Centennial Bridge, connects Rock Island, Illinois and Davenport, Iowa. The bridge is 3,850 feet (1,173 m) long and stands 170 feet (52 m) above water level. In 1988, lights were installed on the arches, which make the bridge a very scenic sight at night.
It opened on July 12, 1940 as a toll bridge. The original toll was $0.05, and eventually rose to $0.50 for automobiles (and as high as $2.00 for semi-trucks). The tolls were removed from the bridge on May 2, 2003. On that day, a ceremony was held to commemorate the occasion, as well as to honor the toll workers and those who had worked for the bridge during the toll era. The bridge had been under the management of Sue Nelson before going toll-free.
Early in the bridge's history, pedestrians paid a 5-cent walker's fee; this fee ended in 1960.
It was originally going to be named the "Galbraith Bridge", after Rock Island's mayor at the time, Robert Galbraith. He suggested it be named the Centennial Bridge, in commemoration of the city of Rock Island's centennial.
The five arches of the bridge are a symbol often used to represent the Quad Cities. John O'Donnell Stadium in Davenport is located just upriver from the bridge. On the Rock Island side, "The District," the nightlife hub of the Quad Cities, is located about one block east of the bridge.
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| Bridges of the Mississippi River | |||
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| Upstream Government Bridge (Arsenal Bridge) |
Rock Island Centennial Bridge |
Downstream Crescent Rail Bridge |
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