Hugh R. Thomas Bridge
Hugh R. Thomas Bridge as seen towards the north, between the split spans of Lurleen Wallace Blvd.
Coordinates33°12′51.86″N 87°34′25.5″W / 33.2144056°N 87.573750°W / 33.2144056; -87.573750
Carries6 lanes of US 43 / SR 69
CrossesBlack Warrior River
LocaleTuscaloosa, Alabama
Maintained byAlabama Department of Transportation
Characteristics
DesignGirder Bridge
History
Opened1974
Statistics
Daily traffic68,370 (2008)
Location

The Hugh Rowe Thomas Bridge is a six-lane, girder bridge spanning the Black Warrior River along U.S. Route 43 and Alabama State Route 69, connecting downtown Tuscaloosa and Northport in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, that opened in 1974.[1] The bridge is split in Tuscaloosa to accommodate two major, one-way thoroughfares (Lurleen Wallace Boulevard North and South), before joining heading towards Northport. It replaced a lift bridge that was built in 1922 and demolished in 1973.

As of 2008, the average daily traffic count for the bridge is approximately 68,400 vehicles.[2] This is one of four vehicular bridges spanning the Black Warrior in Tuscaloosa. The KCS Railroad (formerly the M&O Railroad) trestle crosses the river nearby and is visible from the bridge.[3]

The bridge was named in honor of Alabama State Representative Hugh Rowe Thomas who was killed in a car wreck in April 1967 while traveling to Montgomery for a special session. He had been elected in 1966 and was just 33 years old.[4] Thomas was one of three children of famed University of Alabama football coach Frank Thomas and wife Frances Rowe.[5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Alabama Department of Archives & History. "ADAH: Tuscaloosa Historical Markers". Archived from the original on August 20, 2007. Retrieved February 7, 2008.
  2. ↑ ISTEA. "ISTEA Reauthorization: Member Policy Initiatives and Requests for Highway & Transit Projects in the ISTEA Reauthorization". Retrieved December 6, 2006.
  3. ↑ Slowe, Betty (August 31, 2010). "Railroad Trestle: Looking Back with Betty Slowe". lookingback.blogs.tuscaloosanews.com. Retrieved February 3, 2019.
  4. ↑ "New Bridge Name Officially Thomas". The Tuscaloosa News. June 14, 1967. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
  5. ↑ "Hughie Thomas' Lucky Hat". Remember the Rose Bowl. Retrieved March 18, 2013.

33°12′52″N 87°34′26″W / 33.21447°N 87.57379°W / 33.21447; -87.57379

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