January 18: Sidney Lanier Park . . .
Read MoreThe current bridge that opened in 2003 replaced the original Sidney Lanier Bridge from 1956. That bridge was a vertical-lift design, meaning a section in the center of the bridge could be lifted vertically to allow ships to pass. That system worked well until two accidents sealed the bridge's fate. An approaching ship that "failed to keep her required position" back in 1972 caused parts of the old bridge to collapse resulting in several deaths. Another accident occurred in 1987.