In 1999, it was listed in the National Register of Historic Places under the title, Fort Madison Bridge, ID number 99001035.

It was also documented as survey number IA-62 by the Historic American Engineering Record, archived at the Library of Congress.

The first opening for river traffic occurred at 11:58 a.m. on July 26, 1927, for the scow C. W. Howell, traveling downriver with no barges attached.

Durations of openings vary depending on weather, river current, size and number of boats, and, occasionally, mechanical problems.

[citation needed] As of 2022[update], the upper deck of the Fort Madison Toll Bridge is open to automobile traffic.