The bridge at Spring Valley is almost a duplicate of the Henry Bridge, with the exception that the Spring Valley bridge has only 5 spans, whereas the Henry bridge has 6 spans. Like the Henry Bridge, the main channel span is slightly larger than the other bridge spans. This bridge was also built at the time that the 9-foot navigation project was being constructed.

The Spring Valley bridge was rebuilt in 1989 and 1990. The contractor used an innovative overhead crane system. This allowed work to continue during a moderate flood that year, and was key to finishing the project well ahead of schedule.

The Illinois River flows mostly south from the area near Hennepin to the confluence with the Mississippi. From Hennepin to Chicago, the river flows nearly directly west. Spring Valley is the first river crossing when heading up river after the Illinois makes the big turn just north of Hennepin.

A historical marker located just north of the bridge notes that the small city of Spring Valley was home to John Mitchell, who was an early union organizer and the head of the United Mine Workers early in the 1900s.