Contact: Ernie Blazar 202.224.7627 Shana Stribling 202.224.0309
Friday, July 4, 2003

ST. LOUIS - Senator Kit Bond today celebrated the reopening of the historic Eads Bridge in St. Louis, MO.

"As the Eads Bridge proves, we must invest in the past to guarantee a better future and this is especially true for our transportation infrastructure," said Bond, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. "Our economy and ability to create the conditions for job-growth depend upon the condition of our transportation infrastructure Five years ago, I announced Federal support for this effort and I am pleased to be here to see the result of our cooperation and to see this bridge back in action."

This great structure, once known as the St. Louis Bridge was originally opened on this day, July 4, 1874. At that time, this structure was virtually unprecedented. With a base constructed more than 100 ft. below the river's surface, history indicates that this was the deepest submarine work ever done to date. Historians say that 352 men risked their lives in these atmospheric chambers, and at least 12 died as a result.

These sacrifices did not go unnoticed. Bridge designer James Buchanan Eads and his team were praised here in the Streets of St. Louis, and this superstructure was even highlighted in Encyclopedia Brittannica, which called the 3 arch structures 'the finest example of a metal arch yet erected.'

Estimates predict that about 13,000 vehicles will travel across this bridge each day, and the structure will also serve the people in other great social events similar to our celebrations this holiday weekend.

"As this bridge is opening, we are also continuing our efforts to find a workable solution to the financing of a new Mississippi River Bridge. If that project is going to happen, it will undoubtedly take the full cooperation of the local communities, the states of Missouri and Illinois, and the help of the Federal Government. Now that the Eads Bridge is again a reality, I intend to continue to explore options of Federal assistance to other important projects in the St. Louis metropolitan area," said Bond.

Bond is chairman of the U.S. Senate Subcommittee charged with writing the next six-year federal highway bill which serves as the national blueprint for how and where tens of billions of dollars will be spent on the nation's highway infrastructure.

Kit Bond is Missouri’s senior Senator and is now in his third term after having served the state previously during two terms as Governor.