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The Eads bridge,
built by James Buchanan Eads, was the first link to Illinois over the
Mississippi River at St. Louis. The length of the span, the depth
of the water, and the change from low Illinois floodplain on the east
bank to the high Missouri cliff on the west bank provided the
ingredients for an enormously difficult project.
While the bridge
was a technological success, with many innovative solutions to
challenging engineering problems, it was plagued with debt and cost
overruns throughout its construction. However, Eads overcame all
the technical and commercial obstacles and managed to finish the project
in 1874, providing an important gateway to the western U.S.
In 1898, the
bridge, which is still in use today for vehicular, pedestrian and
railway traffic, was the first ever to be pictured on a U.S. postage
stamp.
Fast Facts
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Completed: |
1874 |
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Construction Cost: |
$10,000,000 |
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Length: |
6,442 feet |
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Height: |
88 feet above the water |
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Longest Span: |
520 feet |
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Width: |
46 feet |
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