The bridge was built in 1903 by the Phoenix Bridge Company, and includes a 285 foot long turn span, deemed necessary by the Army Corps of Engineers as a result of river barge traffic, which in addition to moving commodities up and down the river, also brought in the steel for the constuction of this bridge. The river makes a 90 degree bend at this point. To the right, the railroad was built on the banks of the river for 40-50 miles or so, but to the left, the railroad ascends a steady 1% grade for the next ten miles. The first three spans to the right are level, as is the turn span and the first span to the left, but the next six deck girder spans begin rising at two plus feet in 320 feet. The total length of the bridge, not including the short five panel timber approach trestles at each end, is 1091 feet, 7½ inches. The turn span turned just once since built, for testing, and never turned again. The river barge traffic disappeared upon arrival of the railroad in Cotter.