[5] The bridge was built as part of a wider urban renovation of the town during the administration of the mayor Ivan Hribar.

[3] Janez Koželj, a professor of urban design, expressed in 2010 his opinion that the new technology of reinforced concrete and new static calculations were used in Ljubljana instead of Vienna, because it meant minor consequences if they had not worked.

[9] The works started on 1 July 1900 and were at first led by Austrian engineer Alexander Zabokrzycky, assisted by Filip Supančič from Ljubljana.

The bridge was solemnly opened for traffic on 4 October 1901 by Anton Bonaventura Jeglič [sl], the Bishop of Ljubljana, in the presence of many distinguished guests, including Zaninović, Melan and Brausewetter.

When the bridge was completed, it was dedicated to Franz Joseph I of the Habsburg Dynasty to commemorate forty years of his rule from 1848 to 1888.

[7] Rigid truss arches made of iron are set into the reinforced concrete bridge.

[3] He envisaged the concrete covering, the balustrades and the sheet-copper dragon statues of the bridge,[11] which is now a symbol of the city.