Daily traffic 68,370 (2008) | Opened 1974 | |
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Coordinates 33°12′51.86″N 87°34′25.5″W Carries 6 lanes of US 43 / SR 69 Maintained by Alabama Department of Transportation Similar Woolsey Finnell Bridge, Annette M Shelby Park, Old Observatory, University of Alabama Arboretum, President's Mansion | ||
The Hugh Rowe Thomas Bridge is a six-lane, girder bridge spanning the Black Warrior River along U.S. Route 43 and Alabama State Route 69 connecting downtown Tuscaloosa and Northport in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama that opened in 1974. The bridge is split in Tuscaloosa to accommodate two major, one-way thoroughfares (Lurleen Wallace Boulevard North and South), before joining together heading towards Northport. It replaced a lift bridge that was built in 1922 and demolished in 1973.
As of 2008, the average daily traffic count for the bridge is approximately 68,400 vehicles. This is one of only four vehicular bridges spanning the Black Warrior in Tuscaloosa.
The bridge was named in honor of Alabama State Representative Hugh Rowe Thomas who was killed in a car wreck in April 1967 while traveling to Montgomery for a special session. He had been elected in 1966 and was just 33 years old. Thomas was one of three children of famed University of Alabama football coach Frank Thomas and wife Frances Rowe.