Edmund Pettus Bridge

Selma, Alabama · Accessibility score 1.1/5

Address: US Highway 80, Selma, AL 36703

Phone: (334) 242-4169

About

The Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, is one of the most significant civil rights landmarks in the United States. On March 7, 1965, a day that became known as Bloody Sunday, armed state troopers and local posse men attacked peaceful marchers as they crossed this bridge during a voting rights demonstration. The brutality, broadcast on national television, shocked the nation and helped build momentum for the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

The bridge carries US Route 80 Business across the Alabama River and remains an active roadway, but it's also a powerful place of reflection. Visitors can walk across the same span where John Lewis, Hosea Williams, and hundreds of others marched toward Montgomery. Standing on the bridge, you'll look out over the Alabama River and imagine the courage it took to keep walking toward a wall of armed officers.

Nearby, the Selma Interpretive Center operated by the National Park Service provides context and exhibits about the Selma-to-Montgomery marches. The center is free to all visitors and offers a deeper understanding of the events that unfolded here. It's a great first stop before walking the bridge itself.

The surrounding area includes other important civil rights sites, including Brown Chapel AME Church, where the marches were organized, and the National Voting Rights Museum. Together, these sites tell the story of ordinary people who changed American democracy through extraordinary courage.

Visitors should plan for an outdoor experience. The bridge is a public roadway with pedestrian walkways, so wear comfortable shoes and bring water, especially during Alabama's warm months. There's no admission fee to walk across the bridge. Spring is a particularly meaningful time to visit, as the anniversary of the marches falls in early March and draws commemorative events each year.

Whether you're a history enthusiast or simply want to stand where history happened, the Edmund Pettus Bridge offers a profoundly moving experience that connects the past to ongoing conversations about justice and equality.

Accessibility

The Edmund Pettus Bridge is a public roadway with pedestrian walkways on both sides. The bridge surface is paved, making it generally passable for wheelchair users and those with mobility devices, though the bridge does have a noticeable incline as it arches over the Alabama River. The walkways are narrow in places, so visitors using wider mobility devices should be aware of limited space alongside vehicle traffic.

The nearby Selma Interpretive Center, operated by the National Park Service, features an elevator that makes each floor accessible to wheelchair users. Admission to the interpretive center is free. The center provides restroom facilities and air-conditioned indoor exhibit space.

Parking is available on nearby streets and in small lots close to the bridge. There is no dedicated parking structure specifically for the bridge, so accessible parking availability may vary. Visitors should check for designated accessible parking spaces along Broad Street near the bridge approach.

The bridge itself is an outdoor, open-air experience with no shade or seating. During summer months, temperatures can be high, so plan accordingly. The walking surface can become slippery when wet.

For visitors with visual impairments, the interpretive center's exhibits include some interpretive materials, though specific sensory accommodations should be confirmed in advance. Contact the Selma Interpretive Center at the National Park Service for current details on available accommodations, guided programs, and any temporary closures or construction that might affect accessibility. The center's staff can help plan a visit tailored to individual needs.

More accessible places in Alabama

More accessible destinations in Alabama