Chamberlain Bridge (Chamberlain, South Dakota)
The Chamberlain Bridge, is a historic bridge connecting the towns of Chamberlain and Oacoma across the Missouri River and Lake Francis Case in Brule County, South Dakota. The bridge was originally completed in 1925 and carried U.S. Route 16 (US 16) over the Missouri River. In 1953, Lake Francis Case was created by the new Fort Randall Dam and the bridge became obsolete. The Wheeler Bridge, also completed in 1925, was floated up the river and the two bridges were joined to span the new lake. The bridge now carries Interstate 90 Business (I-90 Bus.). The main path of I-90 crosses the lake on a modern bridge south of the Chamberlain Bridge and a railroad bridge crosses about south of I-90. Chamberlain Bridge is designated South Dakota Department of Transportation bridge no. 08-068-084 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001. 1925 bridge In 1923 South Dakota's bridge fund had a balance of $4 and groups from Rosebud, Chamberlain, Pierre, Forest City and Mobridge asked the state legislature to fund a bridge in their location to cross the Missouri River. State bridge engineer John Edward Kirkham promised that he could build all five bridges for $2