The substructures of the bridges were light grey concrete, and the superstructures were made of steel that had been painted black.

The bridge was designed and construction was supervised by Howard M. Jones, the chief office engineer of the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railway.

In 1998 the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge was admitted to the National Register of Historic Places, due mainly to the unique truss design.

However, due to aesthetic, architectural, and historical considerations, it was decided that it should be converted to a pedestrian bridge rather than be demolished.

The bridge includes four scenic pedestrian overlooks that, in the metal of the railing, have artistic renderings of the history of life on the Cumberland River.

The video for "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)", the first hit single by Big & Rich, was shot entirely on the Shelby Street Bridge.

While shooting a music video on the bridge, Jon Bon Jovi prevented a woman from committing suicide.

[7] Ironically, John Seigenthaler is quoted to have said (to his Father Ryan High School classmates), "The Shelby Street Bridge is for the rats to go back home to East Nashville.

"[citation needed] Media related to John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge at Wikimedia Commons