Summary: |
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The Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, at 5,353 feet long, is one of the world's longest bicycle and pedestrian bridges. The Bridge spans the Mississippi River and provides a vital link in the bi-state trail system, connecting to the St. Louis Riverfront Trail in Missouri and the MCT Confluence Trail in Illinois. The Bridge, once part of the beloved Route 66, has a rich history and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
View Old Chain of Rocks Bridge Photos on Flickr 
View more information and maps of the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge
Location
10950 Riverview Drive, St Louis, MO 63137
Link to Google Maps for directions
Bridge Hours
Effective 6/23/08: Due to funding limitations the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge will be open between 9 am and dusk until further notice. When the Bridge is closed, please use the McKinley Bridge to cross the Mississippi River. From the Missouri entrance to the Bridge, the McKinley Bridge can be accessed 7 miles south on the Riverfront Trail. From the Illinois entrance to the Bridge, the McKinley Bridge can be accessed by taking the MCT Confluence Trail south to bike-friendly IL Rt. 3 South (8 miles).
In extreme winter weather the Bridge may be closed. For more information call 314/436-1324 #107.
Parking
Free parking is available at the Illinois Bridge entrance and at North Riverfront Park, south of the Bridge along the Riverfront Trail. The Missouri Bridge entrance will only be open for vehicle parking during special events. Secure parking will be available for these events.
Special Programming
Eagle Days at the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge is held the weekend (Saturday and Sunday) before the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, January 17 & 18, 2009. The program hours are 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. The program includes an eagle education program (repeated every 20 minutes, 10:00 a.m. – 2:40 p.m.), viewing scopes on the Bridge and Lewis and Clark re-enactors who set up an encampment reminiscent of the 1804-1806 Corps of Discovery Expedition. The program is FREE, parking at the MO bridge entrance is $5 or park in the satellite lots at North Riverfront Park or the Missouri Welcome Center and take a FREE shuttle. FREE parking is also available at the IL bridge entrance.
Note: The Bridge will be closed 1/13/09 – 1/16/09 for set up and school programming. The Bridge will reopen for the public Eagle Days program January 17 & 18, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. The Bridge will be closed on Monday, 1/19/09 until Noon to remove equipment from the Bridge. The Bridge hours on Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, January 19, will be Noon – 5:00 p.m.
Segways Tours at the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge
Starting on April 26 and continuing every other Sunday through October 25, the Saint Louis Science Center will offer “Meet Me on Route 66 Glided Tours.” Meet on the Illinois side of the river and ride the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge across the Mississippi. Follow the bike trail down the Missouri side of the river learning history of the famous Route 66. Brief training is included.
- Dates: April 26, May 10, May 24, June 7, June 21, July 5, July 19, Aug. 2, Aug 16, Aug 30, Sept 13, Sept 27, Oct 11 and Oct 25
- Time: 10:00 AM until 1:00 PM
- Maximum attendance: 8
- Minimum age: 16 years & older
- Weight Limit: Min 100 lbs /Max 260 lbs
- Location: 4200 W Chain of Rocks Road, Granite City, IL 62040
- Cost: $80 ticket
- Charter: $85 per person for groups of 4 or more
Registration is required, call Trish at the Science Center at 314/289-1418 or 800/456-7572 x 1418.
Learn more on the Saint Louis Science Center website
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| History: |
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The Old Chain of Rocks Bridge was constructed in 1929 as a toll bridge. It became part of the now-historic Route 66 in 1936 and was purchased in 1939 by the City of Madison, Illinois. The opening of a modern free bridge 1,800 feet to the north led to a decline in revenue and ultimately the Bridge's closure in 1968. Demolition was planned in 1975; however, a steep drop in the value of scrap steel rendered it unprofitable to tear it down. Trailnet became involved in the project in 1997 when it initiated a restoration project to re-open the Bridge as one of the world's longest bicycle and pedestrian bridges. Trailnet completed the Master Plan for the Bridge and has implemented a number of its planned improvements, including a Route 66 themed bump-out, full-span pedestrian lighting, Missouri-side restrooms, benches, bike racks and interpretive plaques. |
Trailnet's
Role: |
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Trailnet manages the Bridge under a long-term lease from the City of Madison, Illinois and is raising capital funds for enhancement projects. |
| Partners: |
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* City of Madison, Illinois
* Great Rivers Greenway District
* Illinois Department of Natural Resources
* Missouri Department of Conservation
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Major
Funders: |
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* Ameren UE
* Employees Community Fund of Boeing St. Louis
* Carboline Company
* David R. Francis Society
* The Conservation Fund
* Barbara and Robert Fredholm
* Phil Galang
* Gannett Foundation/KSDK-TV
* Gateway Foundation
* Great Rivers Greenway District
* Harlan Company
* Lotsie and Rick Holton
* Illinois Department of Natural Resources
* Pat Jones
* Koman Properties, Inc.
* Nancy and Rich Marston
* Missouri Department of Natural Resources
* Missouri Department of Transportation
* Nicholas and Linda Penniman
* St. Louis-Jefferson Solid Waste Management
* Emma Ware
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Latest
News: |
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Added to National Register of Historic Places
The Old Chain of Rocks Bridge was added to the registry on December 1, 2006. The National Register of Historic Places is the Nation's official list of cultural resources worthy of preservation. Authorized under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Register is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect our historic and archeological resources. Properties listed in the Register include districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects that are significant in American history, architecture, archeology, engineering, and culture.
Winner of the 2006 Outstanding Trail Sharing Award
The Old Chain of Rocks Bridge was recognized by American Trails as the recipient of the Outstanding Trail Sharing Award on October 21, 2006 at the American Trails Conference. This award recognizes innovative and successful trail sharing efforts, programs, and systems. The Bridge is part of the historic Route 66 Scenic Byway System, serves as a key link connecting trails in Missouri and Illinois and is a shared venue for many outdoor recreational activities.
Ultragate Added to the Bridge
James Woodfill, from Kansas City, completed a public art installation on the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in August, 2006. The goal of Woodfill’s public installation (photo below) is to encourage reflection about the site and about the environment that the viewer is “in” both physically and emotionally. Funding for the project was secured through grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Regional Arts Commission and the Missouri Department of Transportation. The City of Madison Public Works assisted with the installation.
Woodfill's portfolio may be viewed at www.jameswoodfill.com.
Rest Area Facilities Enhanced at the Bridge
Trailnet received funding from the Regional Arts Commission to work with St. Louis artist, Andy Cross, to enhance the new rest area facilities at the western entry area to the Bridge (photo below). Work was completed in summer 2006.
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| Contact: |
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Gwendolyn Moore, Project Manager, at 314/436-1324 x 118 |
