Madison Journal - 1930 Opening of the Vicksburg Bridge.

Date submitted: December 28, 2013

Submitted by: Richard P. Sevier

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VICKSBURG BRIDGE OPENED MONDAY
Madison Journal May 2, 1930

At six o'clock Monday evening the Vicksburg River Bridge was officially opened for traffic. Although 
several automobiles had been driven over the bridge it was not until six o'clock Monday evening that 
Manager Sam P. Price with his assistant, Glen C. Bovay and Toll Takers McKie and Howell took their 
places and were ready for business.

The other toll takers are Frank Arrison and E. K. Berrenkamp. There will be three shifts a day of 
eight hours each.

Most of the first cars to pass over the bridge early in the evening were sight-seerers and they were 
enthusiastic over the trip. These sight-seerers came from both sides. Two autoists said they had come 
twenty-five miles to make the trip as they had been told by others the bridge was open for traffic.

Fifty Cars In First Hour and Half

More than fifty automobiles passed over the structure during the first hour and a half. After this the 
number dropped off but at midnight 110 cars had passed over. At two o'clock Tuesday morning the number 
had increased to 118.

Harry Bovay, President of the Vicksburg Bridge and Terminal Co., was on hand most of the day. He 
expressed himself as highly pleased over the way the bridge was constructed and at the splendid work 
done by the contractors in overcoming many difficult problems in its construction.

He said he was very confident the bridge will mean far more to Vicksburg than is now realized. 
"If it doesn't I would feel I had worked four years, for nothing,'' said Mr. Bovay with a smile.

Dan A. James Comments

Dan A. James, President of the Vicksburg Chamber of Commerce, enjoyed a trip over the bridge Monday 
morning. "It was inspiring to me. I had dreamed of such a structure for years, and just to sit there in 
my car and see the broad Mississippi below and to realize I was rolling across the long hoped for river 
bridge at Vicksburg gave me a deep thrill.

"Do you know," said Mr. James, "the bridge puts Mound, La., within fifteen minutes' trip to Vicksburg?" 
Formerly it took at least one hour and fifteen minutes to get to Mound. The people of North Louisiana 
are going to find the bridge of very great value to them as a time saver. It puts Vicksburg right at the 
door of our friends.