Friends of the Vicksburg Bridge plan to ask the Warren County Board of Supervisors to adopt a resolution requesting the Warren County Bridge Commission to proceed with opening the historic Vicksburg Bridge permanently to cyclists and pedestrians.

The organization is expected to have an informational meeting with the Warren County Board of Supervisors during the board’s work session at 8:30 a.m. April 23.

The group believes such an initiative would promote tourism and healthy living.

The bridge, which was built in 1930, is used for special events such as Bricks and Spokes and the Over the River Run, which draw hundreds of cyclists and runners each year to the Old Vicksburg Bridge that crosses the Mississippi River.

The group points out that hundreds of bicyclists participate each year in Bricks and Spokes since it began in 2010 and the Over the River Run will take place for the 30th time in 2018. One of the main draws for both events has been the Old Vicksburg Bridge, and if it were open year-round would be a draw for tourists as well.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1989, the cantilever bridge was built in 1928-30 and was used for vehicles to across the Mississippi River until 1998, when the new Vicksburg Bridge was built a short distance down river. The bridge is now used for rail traffic only.

A push to encourage Vicksburgers to become healthy and health conscious has been an ongoing effort for a few years now.

Most recently, the Robert Woods Johnson chose Vicksburg as one of eight cities in the United States to receive their coveted award for their healthy initiative.

Opening the bridge permanently to foot traffic and cyclists would only enhance opportunities for more residents to live healthier lives.