The Scariest Bridge in Georgia Is Not for the Faint of Heart

Georgia, “The Peach State,” is famous for its food, natural beauty, and prominent historical features. It also comprises varied landscapes, including rivers and marshes. So residents and travelers alike could easily explore the southern state, thousands of bridges were built to connect the sprawling landscape. One such bridge is above the entrance to one of the busiest seaports in the country and has been the center of a naming controversy for decades. Keep reading to learn more about the scariest bridge in Georgia.

What Is the Scariest Bridge in Georgia?

The scariest bridge in Georgia is the Talmadge Memorial Bridge. It spans the Savannah River between downtown Savannah and Hutchinson Island. However, the Talmadge Memorial Bridge you see today differs from the original. A renovated structure and a naming controversy give the beautiful white arches a colorful history.

Dimensions of the Scariest Bridge in Georgia

The scariest bridge in Georgia is 1.9 miles long with a main span of 1,100 feet. The roadway supports four lanes of traffic on Highway 17 over the Savannah River. Furthermore, it provides 185 feet of vertical clearance for ships and 1,023 feet of horizontal clearance. The scariest part, not for the faint of heart, is crossing the river. If you continue driving, the two-lane Little Back River Bridge connects Hutchinson Island to South Carolina.

The Original Talmadge Memorial Bridge

The original structure, a cantilever truss bridge, was built in 1953. However, it was too short and endangered large ships entering the Port of Savannah. A replacement was necessary after two collisions occurred in the river. What’s more, the Savannah Port is home to one of the largest single ocean containers in the U.S. eastern seaboard and is one of the top five busiest seaports in the country. As a result, the Talmadge Memorial Bridge, a cable-stayed bridge, was completed in 1991.

Supports from the original structure are still visible on both sides of the river. Instead of creating an entirely new bridge, the original was renovated to save money.

Naming Controversy of the Talmadge Memorial Bridge

The construction of the scariest bridge in Georgia was relatively simple, even with the replacement. However, deciding on a name caused quite a controversy for Georgia officials. Some officials suggested dedicating the bridge to Tomochichi, a Yamacraw leader along the Savannah River’s bluffs and a prominent figure in early Georgia history. He was a mediator between the Creek (Muscogee) British colonists.

Despite the tense division, it was ultimately dedicated to the former Democratic governor of Georgia, Eugene Talmadge. He served three terms as governor and played a leading role in state politics. However, many of his then-popular objectives included segregation and rural superiority. Due to his offensive politics, many opposed honoring his legacy with the new bridge. Rumor has it that the mayor put up a sign with the name in the middle of the night, settling the matter himself.

Savannah City Council passed a resolution to rename it the “Savannah Bridge” in 2017 to better align with a more positive message. The Girl Scouts also proposed naming it after their founder and Georgia native, Juliette Gordon Low. However, the name remains. But one argument that has persisted since its unveiling is that the name Talmadge Memorial Bridge may have never been official in the first place. Whatever happens in the future is up to the Georgia state government.

Wildlife Near the Talmadge Memorial Bridge

You don’t have to worry about running into an alligator if you venture through downtown Savannah, but they are common along the waterways and marshes surrounding the city. They live in areas including the Savannah River beneath the scariest bridge in Georgia and around Skidaway Island. However, they are a common species overall in Savannah.

The Savannah River is home to over 75 species of plants and animals. But some of the most common wildlife include egrets, herons, beavers, river otters, and snakes. Some fish swimming in its water include the American eel, trout, catfish, red drum, and flounder. You can also find blue and fiddler crabs.

Other common species in the area include the bobcat, white-tail deer, coyotes, opossums, raccoons, squirrels, armadillos, and bats. But watch out for cottonmouth snakes and snapping turtles that may be on the prowl. Official state animals you want to see are Georgia brown thrasher, bobwhite quail, largemouth bass, and the green tree frog. Moreover, insects include the eastern tiger swallow, black widows, and the European honey bee.