Chain Of Rocks Bridge Is A Remarkable Bridge In Illinois That Everyone Should Visit At Least Once

Spanning one mile over the Mississippi River, the Chain of Rocks Bridge connects Madison, Illinois to St. Louis, Missouri via the famed historic Route 66. Used for over three decades, this bridge served as a fascinating landmark for travelers. The bridge was closed to traffic in 1968, but visitors can still stop at either end in either state and marvel at the structure's beauty.

Construction of the Chain of Rocks Bridge began in 1927 with an estimated cost of $1,250,000. But in the end, building costs exceeded the projected amount and the final bill was around $2,500,000.

This became a popular bridge to cross, however, and revenue was generated through charging travelers a toll.

When the bridge was completed, it ran a length of one mile, with a 30-degree turn in the middle, and hovered 60 feet above the river.

In the original plans, the bridge was meant to be straight, but riverboat men said it would be too close to the two water intake towers for the Chain of Rocks pumping station and so the bridge had to bend.

It also turns out that the weight of the piers could not be supported along the riverbed as per the original plan anyway.

Each state began constructing their respective ends at the same time. On the Illinois side, the approach to the bridge was lined with 400 elm trees. When highway traffic was rerouted over the bridge upon completion in July 1929, these trees provided a picturesque scene for Route 66 travelers.

Now, why is it called the Chain of Rocks Bridge? In the area is a 17-mile long shoal of rocky rapids that made navigating the river quite dangerous at the time. This shoal was called the Chain of Rocks.

A visit to the Chain of Rocks Bridge will not disappoint. It's an impressive sight surrounded by the jaw-dropping beauty of the Mississippi River.

Have you visited the Chain of Rocks Bridge? Do you have a favorite bridge in Illinois? If so, please let us know in the comments!

For more information on this fascinating bridge, visit the NPS website here.