This bridge crosses Pettibone Slough, a back channel of the Mississippi River. This was once the main highway river crossing in La Crosse until the Cass Street Bridge was opened in 1940. Since that time, this bridge serves the entry way road to Pettibone Park, which is on west side of the main river channel directly across from downtown La Crosse.

One photo below shows where the roadway ends at the main channel of the Mississippi River, while another photo shows the pavement of the old river crossing looking west towards Minnesota.