Home»BRIDGES»Natchez Trace Bridge,Franklin TN

The revolutionary Natchez Trace Bridge spanning route 96 in Franklin, Tennessee, was opened to traffic in 1994. It's the first American arch bridge to be constructed from segments of pre-cast concrete. Two graceful arches support the roadway above. Usually supports called "spandrels" are used to distribute the weight of the roadway to the arch below, but the Natchez Trace Bridge was designed without spandrels to create a more open and aesthetically pleasing appearance. As a result, most of the live load is resting on the crowns of the two arches, which have been slightly flattened to better carry it.