 Until the 19th century , access to the island was made through boats . After the introduction of a ferry that could transport 150 passengers , Louis Faidherbe quickly saw that the system was clearly overrun and decided to construct the first bridge over the Sénégal River . The governor of Senegal , Henri de Lamothe decided to take a loan worth five million gold francs to construct a new metallic bridge in Saint @-@ Louis . After the construction company was selected , they all decided to construct a new metallic bridge with a section capable of turning 90 degrees to allow the passage of ships . The bridge was opened on July 14 , 1897 . In the 2000s , a US $ 27 million rehabilitation plan has been inaugurated . 
