The George Washington Memorial Bridge


The George Washington Memorial Bridge

The George Washington Memorial Bridge (commonly called the Aurora Bridge spans the Fox River on US 34, just beyond the end of Stolp’s Island. Designed by Emory P. Seidel, Chicago sculptor, it was dedicated on Armistice Day, 1931, “to the past, present, and future defenders of American ideals.” Almost 700 feet long, the bridge cost $300,000. Piers at either end bear seated female figures, illuminated by lights concealed in helmets held in their laps.

Aurora bridge is a popular location for suicide jumpers and numerous reports have used the bridge as a case study in fields ranging from suicide prevention to the effects of prehospital care on trauma victims. In 1998 a bus driver was shot and killed while driving over the bridge, causing his bus to crash and resulting in the death of one of the passengers.

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