“Imagine,” a local whispered, “the Hunt Drive Bridge as a silent guardian, watching over Savannah’s evolving skyline.” This bridge is not just steel and concrete. It’s a landmark tied to the city’s dreams.
The Talmadge Memorial Bridge stands tall over the Savannah River. It connects downtown Savannah and Hutchinson Island. This impressive cable-stayed bridge replaced an older structure. The original bridge was a cantilever truss bridge built in 1953. It became functionally obsolete.
The new Talmadge Memorial Bridge opened in March 1991. It ensures safe passage for large ships. Savannah’s port is the fourth-busiest seaport in the nation. The bridge’s construction cost $70.9 million. The old bridge supports remain as a reminder of the past. Removing them was too expensive.
Originally, there was a suggestion to rename the bridge after Tomochichi. He was a Native American Creek leader. He played an important role in Savannah’s founding in 1733. Public forums led to keeping the Talmadge name.
The bridge is named after Eugene Talmadge. He was a Democratic Governor of Georgia. He served in 1933-37 and 1941-43. Some people found his legacy controversial. In September 2017, the Savannah City Council wanted to rename it the “Savannah Bridge”. Others suggested naming it after Juliette Gordon Low. She was the founder of the Girl Scouts.
This bridge provides 185 feet of vertical navigational clearance. Its horizontal clearance is 1,023 feet. The main span is 1,100 feet long. The total length stretches 1.9 miles. The Talmadge Memorial Bridge carries four lanes of traffic.
Savannah is expanding its port to accommodate larger vessels. The Savannah Harbor Expansion Project is underway. Officials once considered raising or replacing the Talmadge Memorial Bridge. They wanted to service Neo-Panamax vessels. GDOT announced in December 2023 that the bridge will be raised. But it will eventually be replaced entirely. The structure will still not be tall enough for the next generation of cargo ships. Replacing the bridge could cost over $1 billion.
Underneath the Hunt Drive Bridge, remnants of the old Ogeechee-Savannah Canal are visible. It was used for a short period in the 1800s. Barges carried goods to plantations along the canal.
Think of the countless ships passing beneath the Hunt Drive Bridge. It symbolizes Savannah’s growth. The Talmadge Memorial Bridge will continue to adapt. It will serve as a vital artery for Savannah’s future.