Bibb Graves Bridge

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32°32′18″N 86°12′25″W / 32.5384°N 86.2070°W / 32.5384; -86.2070

Bibb Graves Bridge
Bibb Graves Bridge in September 2001
Coordinates32°32′18″N 86°12′25″W / 32.538467°N 86.206913°W / 32.538467; -86.206913
CarriesAL-212 and AL-111 (Bridge Street)
CrossesCoosa River
Characteristics
DesignConcrete Rainbow Through Arch
Total length787.0 feet (239.9 m)
Width26.6 feet (8.1 m)
Longest span140.0 feet (42.7 m)
No. of spans5 Main Spans and 2 Approach Spans
History
Construction end1931
Location
Map

The Bibb Graves Bridge, also known as the Coosa River Bridge,[1] is a "large multi-span rainbow arch bridge"[2] located in Elmore County, Alabama, in downtown Wetumpka. The bridge crosses the Coosa River.[3]

History

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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 Coosa River.[4][5] The bridge is one of two in the state of Alabama "to be suspended by reinforced concrete."[4]

The bridge is named after David Bibb Graves,[3] the 38th Governor of Alabama, 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 were filmed on the Bibb Graves Bridge.[1]

Structure

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The Bibb Graves Bridge is 140.1 feet in length and has 12.5 feet vertical clearance above deck.[4] It supports pedestrian, motor vehicle, and bike traffic.[4] The bridge contains five concrete arches, classifying it as an arch bridge.[1]

Despite its age, the bridge maintains its integrity, though one "arch span is suffering from ASR cracking."[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Bibb Graves Bridge". Bridgehunter.com. Retrieved 2022-02-13.
  2. ^ a b "Bibb Graves Bridge (Wetumpka Bridge)". HistoricBridges.org. Retrieved 2022-02-13.
  3. ^ a b "Bibb Graves Bridge in Wetumpka". Encyclopedia of Alabama. Retrieved 2022-02-13.
  4. ^ a b c d "Bibb Graves Bridge - Wetumpka, Alabama - Arch Bridges on Waymarking.com". Waymarking.com. Retrieved 2022-02-13.
  5. ^ "New Quarter Million Dollar Bridge at Wetumpka, Ala". Alabama Department of Archives and History. Retrieved 2022-02-13.