Originally named Lady's Island Bridge, it was renamed in 1971 in memory of Richard V. Woods (1935–1969), who was a South Carolina Highway Patrol officer killed in the line of duty.

[2] It was opened on December 17, 1959, replacing an earlier swing-bridge that was built 1927.

Due to the presence of the Intracoastal Waterway, the bridge is required to open frequently for boat traffic to pass through.

In the film, Forrest Gump is interviewed by television reporters about his cross-country running trip while crossing the bridge.

[1] Media related to Woods Memorial Bridge (Beaufort, South Carolina) at Wikimedia Commons