Benjamin G. Humphreys Bridge
Encyclopedia
The Benjamin G. Humphreys Bridge was a two lane cantilever bridge
that carried US 82 and US 278 across the Mississippi River
between Lake Village, Arkansas
and Greenville, Mississippi
. The bridge was named for Benjamin G. Humphreys II
, a former United States Congressman from Greenville. A new bridge, the Greenville Bridge
, was built as a replacement slightly downriver. This is because the bridge is a navigation hazard for barges going underneath it, as well as being so narrow and hazardous to vehicles on it.
While the Mississippi River is the commonly accepted state line, the official line lies on the east bank due to the river shifting slightly westward. Because of this, the main span of the bridge is located entirely in Arkansas.
Until the Charles W. Dean Bridge
is constructed, US 278 will cross the Mississippi River at Greenville.
at Greenville. In 1936, a group called the Arkansas
-Mississippi
-Alabama
US 82 Association was formed to fundraise for the bridge. In 1937, Milton C. Smith (the mayor at that time) worked with John A. Fox, (the secretary of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce), to get Congress to pass a law authorizing the bridge. The bill authorizing the bridge was signed into law in August 1937 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt
. In 1938, Smith applied for money from the Works Progress Administration
to fund the estimated $4.5 million it would take to build the bridge. The Works Progress Administration agreed to the proposal in September 1938, and construction started on the bridge a few months later. On October 4, 1940, the Bridge was officially opened to traffic.
opened to traffic on July 28, 2010 (MDOT press release), the Benjamin G. Humphreys Bridge will be taken apart in 16 foot sections and shipped away to be recycled.
Cantilever bridge
A cantilever bridge is a bridge built using cantilevers, structures that project horizontally into space, supported on only one end. For small footbridges, the cantilevers may be simple beams; however, large cantilever bridges designed to handle road or rail traffic use trusses built from...
that carried US 82 and US 278 across the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
between Lake Village, Arkansas
Lake Village, Arkansas
Lake Village is a city in Chicot County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 2,823 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Chicot County.Lake Village is named for its location on Lake Chicot, an oxbow lake formed from the Mississippi River...
and Greenville, Mississippi
Greenville, Mississippi
Greenville is a city in Washington County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 48,633 at the 2000 census, but according to the 2009 census bureau estimates, it has since declined to 42,764, making it the eighth-largest city in the state. It is the county seat of Washington...
. The bridge was named for Benjamin G. Humphreys II
Benjamin G. Humphreys II
Benjamin Grubb Humphreys was a U.S. Representative from Mississippi, father of William Y. Humphreys, and son of Benjamin G...
, a former United States Congressman from Greenville. A new bridge, the Greenville Bridge
Greenville Bridge
The Greenville Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge crossing the Mississippi River that carries US 82 between Lake Village, Arkansas and Greenville, Mississippi. The main span's length makes the bridge the third-longest cable-stayed bridge in the United States, and fourth longest in North America...
, was built as a replacement slightly downriver. This is because the bridge is a navigation hazard for barges going underneath it, as well as being so narrow and hazardous to vehicles on it.
While the Mississippi River is the commonly accepted state line, the official line lies on the east bank due to the river shifting slightly westward. Because of this, the main span of the bridge is located entirely in Arkansas.
Until the Charles W. Dean Bridge
Charles W. Dean Bridge
The Charles W. Dean Bridge, known before 1999 as the Great River Bridge, will be a cable-stayed bridge carrying Interstate 69 and US 278 across the Mississippi River between Arkansas City, Arkansas and Benoit, Mississippi...
is constructed, US 278 will cross the Mississippi River at Greenville.
History
In the late 1930s, talk started on the construction of a bridge to cross the Mississippi RiverMississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
at Greenville. In 1936, a group called the Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
-Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
-Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
US 82 Association was formed to fundraise for the bridge. In 1937, Milton C. Smith (the mayor at that time) worked with John A. Fox, (the secretary of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce), to get Congress to pass a law authorizing the bridge. The bill authorizing the bridge was signed into law in August 1937 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
. In 1938, Smith applied for money from the Works Progress Administration
Works Progress Administration
The Works Progress Administration was the largest and most ambitious New Deal agency, employing millions of unskilled workers to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads, and operated large arts, drama, media, and literacy projects...
to fund the estimated $4.5 million it would take to build the bridge. The Works Progress Administration agreed to the proposal in September 1938, and construction started on the bridge a few months later. On October 4, 1940, the Bridge was officially opened to traffic.
Destruction
The new Greenville BridgeGreenville Bridge
The Greenville Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge crossing the Mississippi River that carries US 82 between Lake Village, Arkansas and Greenville, Mississippi. The main span's length makes the bridge the third-longest cable-stayed bridge in the United States, and fourth longest in North America...
opened to traffic on July 28, 2010 (MDOT press release), the Benjamin G. Humphreys Bridge will be taken apart in 16 foot sections and shipped away to be recycled.