The exhibit “Spanning the Missouri River” opened in January 2023 at the Betty Strong Encounter Center main gallery. It tells the full story in fascinating detail of Sioux City’s Combination and Memorial Bridges with plenty of accompanying historical photos.
The exhibit begins with the construction of the Combination Bridge, its lifespan and eventual replacement, the Veterans Memorial Bridge. The exhibit encourages visitors to explore, learn, and test their knowledge on early Siouxland river crossings.
The exhibit furthers the Center’s mission to celebrate the history and stories of life along the Missouri River. The river has always been at the epicenter of activity in the area, and the Combination Bridge was the first structure to provide a reliable route across it. Eventually it was replaced by the Veterans’ Memorial Bridge, which today carries more than 30,000 vehicles a day.
