Jefferson Avenue Pedestrian Footbridge - Commercial Street - North Yard, MP 237.7 - Springfield, MO

Jefferson Avenue pedestrian footbridge overpass of Frisco North Yard.

This bridge was put in over the yards in 1902. The bridge length is 562 feet. The bridge was closed to foot and bicycle traffic in 2016. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003.

Since that time efforts have been underway to raise funds to restore the historic structure. In 2013, Missouri approved funding $8,000,000 in repairs.

The south end of the bridge location address is 401 East Commercial Street, Springfield, MO 64803-2939. The north staircase is located at 398 East Chase Street, Springfield, MO 64803-2658.

The bridge linked the Commercial Street business and retail district with Woodland Heights neighborhood to the north of the yard. If you are heading north on Jefferson Avenue you will run right into it. See 1902 Sanborn Map for location.

There is a little rebirth happening along the Commercial Street Historic District. In connection with this there are a few pieces of art to see.

It is a shame this could not have happen when the Frisco Museum was in operation.

Edit 1/31/2024: Added length, street addresses and current status update information.
MKD

 

Good Morning All,

I posted this in the new member thread but also wanted to include it in Buildings and Structures. I am a Springfield, MO architectural historian interested in railroad history who serves on the Landmarks Board for the City of Springfield.

I thought someone would have posted to this group regarding the Jefferson Avenue Footbridge but one of our last local Frisco landmarks and train spotting locations in Springfield is in danger of being removed. The bridge was closed in March of 2016 for an inspection and has been found to be "structurally deficient". A study has been completed and can be found at the link below.

City of Springfield Report

http://www.springfieldmo.gov/footbridge

Built in 1902, the Jefferson Avenue Footbridge was built by the city to stop residents of Springfield from crossing the busy North Yard near Commercial Street. Before the bridge was built the railroad threatened to move their shops to Monett unless something was done about the dangerous situation.

It is said to be one of the longest if not longest pedestrian bridges in the country over railroad tracks and I have been told was one of the best train spotting locations in the Midwest.

Brief History

http://www.ozarksalive.com/jefferson-avenue-footbridge-connects-both-places-and-history/

A petition has been created to show public support. If any of you wouldn't mind signing or sharing this information with others who would be interested this would help show public support for the project.

As headquarters for the Frisco, Springfield has lost far to many of our icons linked to the early days of the railroad.

Petition

https://www.change.org/p/admin-hist...otbridge-by-supporting-a-complete-restoration

Thank you!

Paden Chambers
Springfield Missouri

 

Passenger Bridge over the Frisco North Yards, Springfield, MO.

 

Nice photos on this thread.

Has the bridge been reopened?

I believe that it was closed around 2014 for structural deficiencies.

I used to take my son here and we would watch the trains enter the yard and pass underneath.

The double-stack trains were especially fun to watch, since there's only a few inches of clearance.

Pat Moreland,
Wesco, MO

 

The current (February 5, 2022) Google Map indicates the bridge is "Temporarily Closed."

That is unfortunate because it does indeed appear to give a fantastic view of things for a railfan.