The bridge was built to replace a pedestrian cablesuspension bridge completed in 1888. This existing bridge was utilized continuously during the construction process of the replacement, not only as access to the site for men and materialsassembling the box steel frames and pouring the reinforced concrete from its walkwaybut also as the main support system during the completion of the arch itself. Construction was made difficult by the engineering challenges posed by the great depth of the river at the site and worse from the need to manage and accommodate the frequent and ever increasing water traffic on its surface. The completed bridge was opened to the public on December 28, 1922, with the cost of construction reported as $300,000.