The original bridge at this location was named after Eugene Talmadge, depression era governor of Georgia. The new bridge was unnamed at first. It was proposed to name it after several other more politically correct people, but in the end, the old name was transferred to the new bridge.

The old bridge was a cantilever truss. It was too low to allow the bigger container ships into the harbor. That was an intolerable situation for a port that is one of the biggest container ports on the east coast. The old bridge was struck twice before the new bridge was opened. Many of the piers for the old bridge still stand on the south side of the river in the city of Savannah.

The Talmadge bridge is located at a narrow spot in the harbor. Interestingly, the towers are both located on dry land, and the main span completely crosses the harbor. The photo above is a view from late evening looking to the west from the industrial area on the south side of the river.

The photo above is the west face of the Talmadge Memorial Bridge as seen from the Bay Street Viaduct. The photo below is looking south towards the west face of the bridge as seen from Hutchinson Island. Note the line of piers remaining from the old bridge.