Not long after the opening of the Fort Bridge, the people of Leavenworth found they were not getting the benefits of growth and prosperity expected from access to lands north and west of town.

Judge Edward Stillings was one of the most vocal citizens for a new bridge closer to town.

[2] In the summer of 1889, twenty thousand people attended the opening of the pontoon bridge and watched a town fire truck drive across the span.

Success of the pontoon bridge led to the decision to replace it with a steel structure.

The bridge opened to carry trains, vehicles (wagons), and pedestrians across the river.

[2] The Leavenworth Standard reported that there were eight thousand people present on January 2, 1894 for the opening ceremony of the bridge.

The truss was built with both steel and wrought iron members, and also included wooden decking.