March 28, 2025:
A couple of major milestone events have taken place this month (March 2025) for one of the five bridges over the Missouri River in South Dakota.
The demolition of the girders from the previous Lieutenant Commander John C. Waldron Memorial Bridge at Fort Pierre and Pierre happened March 17, 2025, and a ribbon cutting was held for the new structure March 25.
During the ribbon cutting, South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden shared some history about the structures.
Rhoden also talked about the military service of the man who the bridge is named after.
Rhoden said the new Waldron Memorial Bridge makes it safer for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists to get from one side to the other.
Plans are for the plaza on the Fort Pierre side of the bridge to be built as a tribute to Waldron.
An average of 17,000 vehicles cross the bridge between Fort Pierre and Pierre each day. The life expectancy for the new, nearly $50 million structure is 100 years.
Image property of South Dakota Department of Transportation and City of Fort Pierre.
Image property of South Dakota Department of Transportation and City of Fort Pierre.
March 25, 2025:
Various local, state and federal dignitaries gathered on Tuesday (March 25, 2025) to hold the official ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Lieutenant Commander John C. Waldron Memorial Bridge over the Missouri River between Fort Pierre and Pierre.
The South Dakota Department of Transportation paid for the nearly $50 million project. Department Secretary Joel Jundt said planning for the new bridge began nearly a decade before the actual construction work started, which was in May of 2021.
The bridge fully opened to traffic in the Fall of 2024.
Governor Larry Rhoden said not only does the Waldron Memorial Bridge connect the communities of Fort Pierre and Pierre, but it also connects the traditional ways of life on either side of the state.
Lynette Rasmussen is with the company that managed the bridge construction. She said there’s something that did not get added to the new bridge…. and she’s thankful there wasn’t a need for it.
Fort Pierre Mayor Gloria Hanson said many of her town’s residents rely on being able to cross the Waldron Memorial Bridge every day.
Along with the motoring public, Pierre Mayor Steve Harding said the new bridge will better accommodate non-vehicle users than the previous one did.
An average of 17,000 vehicles cross the Lt. Cmdr. John C. Waldron Memorial Bridge between Fort Pierre and Pierre each day. The life expectancy for the new structure is 100 years.
More information and photos that show the progression of the bridge construction can be found on the Pierre/Fort Pierre Bridge website, https://pierre-ftpierrebridge.com.
South Dakota Department of Transportation Secretary Joel Jundt.
Photo credit DRG Media Group.
South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden.
Photo credit DRG Media Group.
Frot Pierre Mayor Gloria Hanson.
Photo credit DRG Media Group.
Pierre Mayor Steve Harding.
Photo credit DRG Media Group.
Lynette Rasmussen.
Photo credit DRG Media Group.
March 24, 2025:
South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden and Department of Transportation Secretary Joel Jundt will be joined by federal, state and local leaders Tuesday (March 25, 2025) to celebrate the opening of the new bridge over the Missouri River that connects the towns of Pierre and Fort Pierre.
A presentation and ribbon cutting for the Lieutenant Commander John C. Waldron Memorial Bridge are scheduled for 1pm CT in the Drifters parking lot on the Fort Pierre side of the bridge. In the case of inclement weather, the events will take place inside at Drifters Bar and Grille.
Find photos and more information about Pierre/Fort Pierre Bridge project at https://pierre-ftpierrebridge.com.
Photo courtesy of the Fort Pierre Pierre Bridge website.
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