Things to do nearTalmadge Memorial Bridge

The Talmadge Memorial Bridge has defined the Savannah skyline since it opened in 1991, replacing an older swing-span drawbridge that had served the crossing for decades. Named for Georgia governor Eugene Talmadge, the bridge carries US Route 17 over the Savannah River, linking Georgia and South Carolina at one of the Southeast's busiest deepwater ports. Its cable-stayed design, with two distinctive diamond towers rising well above the river, was a deliberate architectural choice intended to complement the historic character of downtown Savannah while meeting the clearance demands of modern container ships.

The vertical clearance is generous enough to accommodate the large vessels that call at the Port of Savannah, one of the busiest ports on the East Coast, and watching a massive cargo ship pass beneath the bridge from the riverfront is one of the more quietly spectacular experiences the city offers. Pedestrians and cyclists can cross the bridge on a dedicated path, and the walk rewards visitors with panoramic views that take in the Savannah River, the working port, and the low green Georgia and South Carolina shorelines stretching in both directions.

From River Street below, the bridge serves as a constant backdrop, visible from the historic cotton warehouses that now house restaurants and shops. At night, lighting along the towers and cables gives the structure a clean, understated glow that reflects on the water. The Talmadge Memorial Bridge is both a functioning piece of regional infrastructure and an enduring symbol of Savannah, one that rewards a slow look from as many angles as the riverfront allows.