The Friends of The Old MS River Bridge requested the Warren County Board of Supervisors to adopt a resolution regarding the Old MS River Bridge on Monday, April 23rd at 8:30am at their offices at 913 Jackson Street. The Friends group had many supporters attend the informal meeting with the Supervisors.  It was standing room only and a line out the door in support of opening the bridge. 

The resolution requests the Board of Supervisors to direct the Bridge Commission, which is appointed by the board, to take such actions as it deems necessary to open the 18-foot wide roadway for pedestrian and bicycle traffic on a daily basis with such rules and regulations governing such activity as the Commission determines to be appropriate.  

The Friends of the Mississippi River Bridge is a citizens’ organization seeking to have the bridge opened for bicycle and pedestrian traffic on a year-round basis. The Bridge Lease dated February 11, 1928, clearly provides for “pedestrian” traffic.

Warren County is the owner of the Old Highway 80 bridge which is managed for the county by the Vicksburg Bridge Commission. The opening of the bridge, which is already utilized annually for special events, would provide a wonderful venue for exercise for the residents of Warren County. The opening would also benefit the tourism industry for the area and result in a significant economic impact for the entire community.

The Harahan Bridge in Memphis, at nearly a mile in length, advertises itself as the longest pedestrian crossing over the Mississippi River. If the Vicksburg Bridge is opened, it will then replace the Harahan Bridge as the longest pedestrian crossing over the Mississippi River.