The bridge was determined eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places during consultation for the Bull Shoals Lake Bridges Programmatic Agreement, executed November 12, 2014, and extended June 2024. Bridge J0952 is eligible under Criteria A and C because of its association with the Bull Shoals Lake and Dam and because it is an uncommon late example of a Missouri State Highway Department through truss bridge. 

The Bureau of Public Roads (BPR) encouraged the State Department to construct a bridge of three continuous plate girder spans rather than the two truss spans planned. BPR also encouraged the department to make the bridge 26 feet wide to include pedestrian accommodation. BPR provided the girder spans for considerations because they thought “that the appearance of the two high trusses places on the 4.306% grade will not be very pleasing and continues: ‘A deck girder structure will definitely minimize the effect of the grade and, in our opinion, satisfy the aesthetic requirements for this crossing.”’

The Porter-Dewitt Construction Company of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, was the low bidder in August 1951 with a bid of $422,028.53 plus 10% contract price plus $599.60 non-contract price. The contractors received a notice to proceed in September 1952, and the project was completed on November 5, 1952. 

MoDOT’s Historic Preservation Section is now accepting proposals for the relocation and reuse of the bridge or its components until December 10, 2025. A proposal checklist is available MoDOT’s Free Bridges website (http://www.modot.org/freebridges/). Preservation covenants may accompany the bridge.