Tallest Bridges in Alabama
Alabama is home to a plethora of bridges, ranging from small pedestrian bridges to massive, multi-lane structures that span entire rivers. In this article, we’ll explore the contenders for the title of the tallest bridge in Alabama and discover which one takes the crown.
The Race for the Tallest Bridge
The title of the tallest bridge in Alabama is a highly sought-after one, with several bridges in the state vying for the top spot. To determine which bridge is the tallest, we’ll be looking at the height of the bridge’s highest point above the ground or water.
The First Contender: Cochrane-Africatown USA Bridge
The Cochrane-Africatown USA Bridge, which spans the Mobile River in Mobile County, is one of the contenders for the title of tallest bridge in Alabama. The bridge has a vertical clearance of 170 feet, which is the distance between the water and the bottom of the bridge. However, the bridge’s highest point above the water is only 82 feet, making it a strong contender but not the tallest bridge in Alabama.
The Second Contender: Mobile-Tensaw Delta Bridge
The Mobile-Tensaw Delta Bridge, also known as the Battleship Causeway, spans the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta and connects Mobile and Baldwin counties. The bridge has a vertical clearance of 150 feet and measures 3.9 miles in length. However, the bridge’s highest point above the water is 135 feet, not enough to claim the title of tallest bridge in Alabama.
The Third Contender: Bankhead Tunnel
The Bankhead Tunnel, which runs under the Mobile River in Mobile, is the oldest of the contenders for the title of tallest bridge in Alabama. The tunnel has a vertical clearance of only 27 feet but is an engineering marvel, considering it was built in the 1930s. However, the Bankhead Tunnel is not a bridge and is therefore not eligible for the title.
The Fourth Contender: General W.K. Wilson Jr. Bridge
The General W.K. Wilson Jr. Bridge, which spans the Tennessee River between Florence and Muscle Shoals, is one of the state’s tallest bridges. The bridge has a vertical clearance of 110 feet and measures 1.9 miles in length. However, the bridge’s highest point above the water is 90 feet, making it the tallest bridge in Alabama so far.
The Fifth Contender: Hugh Thomas Bridge
The Hugh Thomas Bridge, also known as the Tuscaloosa Bypass Bridge, spans the Black Warrior River in Tuscaloosa County. The bridge has a vertical clearance of 60 feet and measures 2.2 miles in length. However, the bridge’s highest point above the water is only 50 feet, making it a strong contender but not the tallest bridge in Alabama.
The Sixth Contender: William Dannelly Reservoir Bridge
The William Dannelly Reservoir Bridge, which spans the Alabama River in Wilcox County, is one of the tallest bridges in the state. The bridge has a vertical clearance of 100 feet and measures 5.6 miles in length. However, the bridge’s highest point above the water is only 70 feet, making it a strong contender but not the tallest bridge in Alabama.
The Seventh Contender: Dolly Parton Bridge
The Dolly Parton Bridge, also known as the Little River Canyon Bridge, spans the Little River Canyon in Dekalb County. The bridge has a vertical clearance of 155 feet and measures 380 feet in length. However, the bridge’s highest point above the water is 139 feet, making it the second-tallest bridge in Alabama.
The Eighth Contender: Guntersville Bridge
The Guntersville Bridge, which spans the Tennessee River in Guntersville, is one of the contenders for the title of tallest bridge in Alabama. The bridge has a vertical clearance of 90 feet and measures 1.4 miles in length. However, the bridge’s highest point above the water is only 70 feet, making it a strong contender but not the tallest bridge in Alabama.
The Ninth Contender: O’Neal Bridge
The O’Neal Bridge, which spans the Tennessee River in Florence, is the last of the contenders for the title of tallest bridge in Alabama. The bridge has a vertical clearance of 95 feet and measures 4,580 feet in length. However, the bridge’s highest point above the water is only 80 feet, making it a strong contender but not the tallest bridge in Alabama.
And the Tallest Bridge in Alabama Is…
After careful consideration of all the contenders, the Dolly Parton Bridge is the tallest bridge in Alabama, with its highest point above the water measuring 139 feet. The General W.K. Wilson Jr. Bridge is a close second with its highest point above the water measuring 90 feet. While the other bridges are impressive structures in their own right, they do not quite measure up to the height of the Dolly Parton Bridge.
