A crowd of nearly 100 gathered at Drifters to hear inspiring words from Governor Larry Rhoden, Pierre Mayor Steve Harding, Fort Pierre Mayor Gloria Hanson, and State Transportation Secretary Joel Jundt. The history of the two bridges, that preceded this one, built in 1926 and 1962 was shared as well as the fact that 17,000 vehicles cross the bridge today. The first bridge carried horses and wagons and this one still could although it’s much wider.
The bridge is dedicated to Commander John C. Waldron who led his squadron to find the Japanese fleet in WWII and thereby began the Battle of Midway, a turning point in the war.
Waldron, a Fort Pierre native, was raised on Bad River, the son of a rancher and a Native American mother. His instincts from his heritage and upbringing helped him to find the Japanese fleet when no one else could. He and his squadron sacrificed their lives in the effort.
The March 25, 2025 ceremony paid tribute to Jensen Construction, proud South Dakotans, and their crew who finished the bridge. Their spokesperson, Lynette Rasmussen, said Jensen Construction was founded in 1912 right after the railroad bridge was built at Fort Pierre. They have built all the current bridges across the Missouri River in South Dakota. The bridge at Fort Pierre will be their last. They have sold their company.
Rasmussen said, “We are proudest of not having a memorial on the site saying someone perished on this bridge.” She concluded: “When you make a mistake, you don’t break a fingernail; you lose a limb; you lose your life! Safety is extremely important to us.”
(Photo credit: Zach Nelson)