It was built to replace the former chain ferry, known as the Floating Bridge, that crossed the river at that point.

[10] However, in 1961 Ministry of Transport announced it would not be providing financial support for the bridge, which again put the project on hold.

[11] The floating bridges were reaching the end of their life, requiring an expensive refit or replacement, and the compulsory purchase powers under the 1960 Act would expire in 1973.

[11] With no possibility of funding from the Ministry of Transport, the council started to investigate constructing a toll bridge.

[12] It recommended a two-lane high level bridge with 80 feet of head-space to allow ships from the dockyards upstream to pass under it.

[13] This was unpopular with motoring organisations, who opposed the council's attempt to get a bill through Parliament to authorise the toll bridge.

[15] Along with basic site preparation, the first job was the construction of two jetties, one from each bank, to the position in the Itchen where the two piers in the river would be built.

[17] Meanwhile, on the west side delays were caused after construction disturbed a poorly documented system of sewers.

[20] Before opening to motor vehicles it was decided to hold a pedestrian-only day for people to examine the bridge.

[21] Former Southampton MP Horace King, Baron Maybray-King decided to celebrate by being driven across in a horse-drawn landau.

[25] In February 2024, the city council announced that the bridge would be closed to vehicular traffic for eight weeks for maintenance and improvements.

Southampton City Council levies a variable toll,[27] depending on vehicle type and time of day of crossing.

The original purposes of the toll were to help pay the £12.174 million it cost to build, and also to control traffic levels.

[29][30] On 21 December 2010, it was announced that an automatic toll system would replace the staffed booth, saving over £200,000 annually.