Abandoned Bridge MacArthur Bridge St. Louis Built 1917 Urbex

Explore this Abandoned Bridge Deck, Built in St. Louis, Missouri in 1917. Once part of route 66 carrying traveler's into Missouri. This double decker monster historic bridge carried both rail and car traffic. The vehicle portion was closed in 1981. Join us on another Urbex Adventure. Traveling to and filming abandoned places in the United States. Amazing drone footage of railways and downtown St. Louis. View the Arch the gateway to the west in this full documentary.
www.patreon.com/tattootonyalton

[@yrunaked4]

great video and look at a very dangerous place. So lucky you all weren't robbed or assaulted. Contractors have pretty much removed all of the road deck from the main spans and are still working on the west side of the bridge currently. You would hardly even know there was a street level on it by looking at it now. Thanks for sharing. Cheers Rob

[@1allanbmw]

As a trucker, I've seen this old bridge/road occasionally crossing the country. I'm always interested in the back story of such places. Lots of old ghosts alongside these old abandoned sites. Many thanks!

[@alecmnsfield1258]

I remember crossing this bridge in 1965 while driving Route 66 from Chicago to Los Angeles. However, I drove around LA and on to Stockton California. I had relatives there whom I had never met and so I spent some time with them talking about how and where I grew up. We talked for several hours getting acquainted with each other. Then I drove up the Coast Highway and into Oregon and Washington States.

[@slavapb5936]

I've lived in St Louis all my life, never knew this was here. drove past it all the time, had no idea! this is such a neat part of our local history.

[@AJKPenguin]

Takes a lot of guts and hard work to produce this. Strong courage to venture out into East Saint Louis, IL. . .a town more dangerous than Chicago! Thank you for your great contribution. Aside: family was touring St. Louis and wanted to go to the River District, Laclede's Landing. We accidentally crossed into the danger zone.

[@jdhinckley1954]

Nice film. Another example of the abandoned in America that often feels so fascinating, but sad at the same time.

[@mattmcfarland9154]

I like the way and the construction technique of how they built bridges and other structures alike with rivets and steel and you dont see a weld in sight. The whol idea was after a period of time the pieces riveted together would naturally self fuse to one another which used to do the same job as a weld if not better which is called a splice marrage and it worked not unlike welds that only fuse the steel pieces at the edges where as the full faces of the steel on a rivet construction like this with the rivets and splice marrage system doesnt weaken the steel like you get with a weld so the older the structure gets the more those steel cold weld and the stronger it gets but after WW2 that all changed ,the sydney harbour bridge in australia was built on the old school rivet and splice marrage construction system and all those old steel structures are still standing, the Eiffel tower in france is built this way as well,designed and built to last.

[@flasher1663]

You obviously know very little about structural welding. The edges are beveled and multiple passes applied for 100% penetration making the weld joint stronger than the parent metal when done properly

[@leemesecher3720]

Thanks for the video. I've always wanted to go there and take pictures, I know it's the kind of place you don't go by yourself

[@Trackside1]

That was a very cool history lesson. I am told by Brian at Rogue Explorations that one of those bridges was the scene of a tremendously sad murder and was also used for the final scene in Escape From New York.

[@eugeneschulte4950]

No !!! Wrong bridge. The one you are refering to is THE CHAIN OF ROCKS bridge. That bridge is old 66 that closed in 1968. I- 270 replaced it. after 1966.

[@SmallMartingale]

My buddy is a train hopper and said a train he was riding stopped on the bridge one time and he got sick with anxiety looking down at the river on this rusty old bridge lol. Great video, Tony. Thanks for making this one for us 👍

[@erpfanatic6586]

Dang bro, the video of this defiant old Goliath of a bridge hits deep. Compared to the vibrance surrounding it; it's like losing a family member to cancer. A once proud symbol of liberty just decaying away until there's nothing left. A damn shame it is.

[@kristinehale8649]

Chain of Rocks Bridge needs to be next

[@troymattingly3071]

Thank you for this excellent presentation 👏 👍

[@georgeemmerich1485]

Should have shown video of the Missouri side also. That bridge had a S curve on the Illinois side just before the total booth. The decking was metal grating and was slick in the rain

[@darellgullion4888]

I love watching videos of things like this. There is another one that I watch it is J.P. videos he's out of the Pennsylvania area and does a lot of abandoned places. Which is cool.

[@Srt8Jeep]

I used to drive by that and I was SO creeped out by it as a kid.

[@aidans1045]

It's interesting how much history you can find abandoned that mostly only locals know about.

[@heidioller4494]

I knew that you guys had visited that bridge before & when you mentioned that totes with the lock on it, I remembered that. The bridge seems to have deteriorated some since the last time. It sounds silly but it seems lonely. Great information on this stuff, thank you for the videos and yuns stay safe.

[@themichaelvortex4784]

Exceptional work! Great location. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟I’ve seen a little of this bridge in YT videos before, but I love the backstory and the attention to detail you included In this one Tony. Be safe out there.Thank you.👍🏼🤘🏼😎

[@SmallMartingale]

The drone footage really made this video. 👌 Loved the background info as well.

[@awizardalso]

My real name is Michael McCluskey. I just subscribed to your channel and selected all when I clicked on the bell. I do have an interest in history of abandoned places.

[@gregtrain1]

great video. Makes me wonder if the chain of Rocks bridge is next.

[@butth3ad]

great video! nice footage I love stuff like this

[@monmixer]

That Cairo Bridge is still running and wow what a small bridge for the traffic. Even tractor trailers galore.

[@helengrunow5094]

I really enjoyed this,interesting old area. All the best to your Dad!

[@couchfighter]

I came back and watched again. great job!

[@buckeyebertie9099]

Love the video. I enjoy the historical facts and memories surrounding the places you visit !! Thank you. Very interesting !!!

[@jerrysmith5015]

I really enjoyed your video and explanation on the MacArthur bridge….I live in Lincoln Alabama Talladega County close to the teller digger Speedway I have a private cemetery and I was fortunate enough to purchase some of the railing from the Mac Author bridge that for my fence around my cemetery…. I am so glad I was able to preserve a little of American history….. The house I live in Butch built around the same time the bridge was….. which it makes it more special….

[@fordfairlane662dr]

I am surprised they haven't cut it up for scrap!

[@midwestgrammar2941]

I remember when they took out a section of the bridge on the east side in 1989. My dad used to past that bridge going to play his lottery. I always thought Bistate express buses used the bridge before they built Metrolink in1993

[@TheMrPeteChannel]

This old lady deserved to be saved.

[@gwarrichmond6232]

Thanks for the history lesson bud !!! I'm always into learning cool stuff. *GREAT VIDEO 👍🏼*

[@anthonymadrinan2964]

Nice Job Brother! Glad to see you're back at it!!!!!!

[@jeffbrown3963]

Interesting. Thanks for the history lesson too!

[@birdman5223]

Cool vibe👍🏻

[@artjohnson1757]

I grew up in St. Louis and when I was in 8th grade ( 1961 ) I could look out the window of the (third floor, high floors) and watch the barges go up and down the river. I was just starting my what would be an adventurous life that I realized that land over on the other side of the river was another state, Illinois. I thought wow I could ride my bide to another state now that would be cool. I got up on a Sat. morning never said a word to my folks and took off on my bike. I went straight to the MacArthur bridge and started across this very long bridge. I was 13 yrs. old and had no idea what E. St. Louis was all about, no one ever told me about the very racial history there. Well when I got to E. St. Louis I saw a group of black guys and they spotted me, one of them yelled get that white M.F.. I turned around and peddled for my life, if my chain would have broke at that time I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be sitting here writing this as a 73 yrs. old man.

[@TattooTonyAlton]

That's quite a story. I have watched documentaries about this.. what year was this in

[@jwrappuhn71]

Good vid Tony.

[@mollycaz1]

Does the train run under the bridge..I did not see the bottom level with train tracks

[@joetrueblood7663]

Cool video👍

[@mikefitchNYC1971]

Awesome exploration

[@erikmcc804]

wow Tony, this was a amazing catch. I used to travel with y grandpa and brothers across this Bridge. I remember when the closed it. I was rumored that lack of more lanes and when Trains and heavy trucks would come across it. It would shake a little, but thats a rumor. it was a good way to get to the Wrestling at the old Checker Dome LOL thanks for the Memories. Also the Terminal RR also owned it :-) sad its all gone only the railroad is still there.. btw did you know where you filmed that train at. That used to be a big railyard for G M&O and I C I seen trains their :-)also this area of E st Louis is called Rush City :-)

[@bonniekaye]

Loved this! 👍☺

[@carlavision6143]

Came across your video, watched and subscribed to your channel! Really enjoyed your awesome video!

[@TattooTonyAlton]

Thanks

[@carlavision6143]

@@TattooTonyAlton you're welcome!

[@johntherogger]

Did I hear right, your dad accidentally drove across it when you first got there? How on earth did he do that? And did you go the whole way, or turn back? I can imagine it would be a challenge to drive through those trees at the end!

[@exploringtheobscured3656]

Wow, what an amazing place! You've really done your homework too. Subscribing immediately 👍

[@Asstastic_1]

I used to drive across this bridge very scary

[@brendakern5264]

if you do a second video could you take a look at those insulators at 4:09 on the big truss and you should also do a big video on both the roundhouses there in east st louis

[@peterchuck4077]

My parents and family crossed this bridge in 1951 on the way to California. They didn’t get past Tulsa OK putting down roots there.

[@maxvonraben8112]

Great video, love it ... thanks! 👀💖💖💖👍

[@TattooTonyAlton]

Welcome

[@cayetanohawaii]

Those were some good shots you took, and I think you picked the perfect time of year to film this. It seems like to me St. Louis needs to get a proactive mayor to come in and restore all the old parts of the city. I always hear about people wanting to tear it all down, which I think would ruin the history behind the city. The new modern buildings you see going up nowadays are shit. I say restore everything, which could possibly bring more jobs and people back to the city. Fix up all the old buildings, turn them into apartments, condos and put new businesses and such into them. And get that old bridge up and running again.

[@sirblack1619]

People in Saint Louis would have to want change to happen first.

[@novastar2470]

I love your video's

[@hikewithmike4673]

wow great history lesson!

[@TattooTonyAlton]

Thanks!

[@Adrian-ju7cm]

Look at the trees poking through

[@gmills5763]

Great narration voice.

[@tonygriffiths7864]

Fallout 4 springs to mind

[@765kvline]

I see that there were still street light standards and luminaires on a portion

[@RedArrow73]

Steam RR or Interurban Trolley Line?

[@QED_]

Might have mentioned what this bridge is *infamous* for: the July 3 1917 Macarthur Race Riot, during which 100 people were killed, many while trying to escape from East St. Louis over the bridge. There's a memorial plaque at the bridge . . .

[@alcopower5710]

Outstanding video........subbed immediately 👍

[@stevenlennaman2073]

I saw a plan to put Apartments ON the bridge were the people living there could look out the windows and watch the river flow by. would have been out side my price range but would have been cool to live there.

[@OuroborosChoked]

I mean no offense by what I'm going to be commenting. I wish you had put a little more effort into editing this video. Little things like adding some historical photos of the bridge, an overhead view of what the full bridge looked like, even some visual clarification on what you meant by upper and lower deck, as it only looked like the bridge was a motorway, not a rail bridge. It's a very interesting subject and my compliments for bringing it up. I'm sure your intentions weren't to make a documentary, but the viewer is left with a lot of questions. Again, my aim is to be constructive here. I'm glad the video was uploaded at all. Thank you, and I look forward to seeing more of your content.

[@TattooTonyAlton]

Awesome google the brisge

[@TattooTonyAlton]

Bridge

[@stonemason848]

google maps says nothing ,The large train bridge is called Mac Arthur Bridge going across the Miss. river. this one is at the end of 10th st. I guess this part used to join the R/R bridge as another decking.

[@TattooTonyAlton]

Yes it used to be a double deck bridge with cars and rail

[@frankez1975]

I know that people live there and call it home, but what a depressed area.

[@christopherjulianus2214]

Are any of those houses still there?

[@serzhan222]

Empty man movie brought me here

[@ChakatNightspark]

They should either remove it, so the ground below it. might be able to be developed for residential use or Commercial use. OR Fix up the pillars, fix up what can be fixed up on roadway make it into a Nature walkway.

[@lastswordfighter]

Shut up furry hippie. Enough this green nonsense. Fix it up for a proper. Make it into a bypass and thoroughfare to cars and vehicles.

[@colinmccormick7925]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@TattooTonyAlton]

Thanks for watching

[@vincentbelfire2873]

I use to live near St. Louis in Crestwood and Overland MO. Wish I had known about this Bridge, I would have checked it out,

[@londonshadowens]

I think they should probably tear it down in the future

[@marcchambers1972]

Great music choice and a very poignant video. Good stuff as always 👍

[@scottsmith1569]

Virtually all of the footage is of everything but the bridge!?!? Very few shots of the entire bridge?? Still zero clue what the double deck, but we've seen 20 views of trash and rail cars on the ground. The BRIDGE Y'ALL???

[@bufordmaddogtannen5164]

Colored

[@jeromewiegand339]

IT'S LIKE MOST OF THE TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE THAT THE CITY MISMANAGES UNTIL IT'S USELESS !

[@crocodile1313]

Nice video and great information....terrible background "music" (or whatever that was).

[@earlycuyler9292]

joggers ruined that city