Natchez and Vidalia have a long history in trade and commerce, particularly along the Mississippi River. The river was crucial in transporting goods and people from one place to another, and both cities were important trading centres in the region.

Before the bridge's construction in 1940, transportation between Natchez and Vidalia was primarily by ferry.

However, the ferry system was not without its limitations. It was often affected by the weather and the river's conditions, which could cause delays and disruptions to transportation. The ferry system also had limited capacity, and during periods of high demand, people and goods could be stranded on one side of the river or the other.

In 1940, the John R. Junkin Bridge was constructed to connect Natchez and Vidalia. The bridge was a major engineering feat at the time, and it played a significant role in opening up the region for economic development.

The construction of the Natchez-Vidalia Bridge was a significant engineering and architectural feat. The original bridge was constructed in 1940 and was an early example of a truss bridge with no v-lacing or lattice on its members. The cantilever arms of the bridge held the suspended span from the top chord, which was an exceptional design detail at the time. It is noteworthy that this design detail was replicated in the companion bridge that was built in the 1990s.

The bridge's construction was contracted to Bethlehem Steel Company of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, for the superstructure and Dravo Contracting Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for the substructure. The bridge was completed in 1940 and opened up new opportunities for commerce and trade between Natchez, Mississippi, and Vidalia, Louisiana.