TALLAHATCHIE COUNTY, Miss. — A 76-year-old steel bridge on Highway 32 in Tallahatchie County, Miss., is on the market, free of charge.

The Mississippi Department of Transportation is planning to build a new bridge in 2026 to span the Tallahatchie River and would rather give this bridge away rather than see it destroyed.

“I was born and raised by that bridge, played up under that bridge as a kid. I’m 54 years old, so that’s all I’ve known is that bridge,” said John Strider, resident.

While still safe for traffic, this bridge is getting close to the end of its life span.

“A big thing with that one is it’s a truss bridge and with higher equipment these days it’s getting hit a lot with farm equipment and different things like that,” said Brian Childs, MDOT.

MDOT plans to replace this two-lane steel structure in 2026 and would rather not see the bridge demolished, so it’s giving it way.

“This bridge opened in 1949, part of the landscape here for 76 years. It’s considered a historic landmark, so whoever gets this bridge will have to follow some pretty strict guidelines,” said Childs.

“In order for us to meet federal regulations, we offer it up to anyone that wants to get it, to be able to relocate it, preserve it, and maintain it in a new location, not under traffic,” said Childs.

Formal proposals for relocation and preservation are being accepted now through October 1.

MDOT, the State Department of Archives and History, and the Federal Highway Administration will choose the new owner.

“We would reimburse them for up to what our estimated cost to remove it would be, but it would be a big undertaking,” said Childs.

“It’s bad to lose some of the old engineering and so forth to modern stuff. I think it’s proven its point been here, it’s been here for a long time,” said Victor Bennett, resident.

If you’re interested, you can submit a formal proposal to Brian Childs at MDOT in Batesville at P.O. BOX 660, Batesville, MS, 38606. You can contact Childs at 662-563-4541.