The Theodor Heuss Bridge connects Mainz-Kastel with Mainz. In 1880, the Grand Ducal Government of Hesse announced a competition for a fixed road bridge that was to span the Rhine over a width of 450 meters. A bridge opening of at least 13.85 m clear height and a width of at least 41.72 m had to be available for shipping traffic. The companies Philipp Holzmann & Co, Frankfurt am Main, and Gebrüder Benckiser, Pforzheim, were awarded first prize, the technical plans were drawn up by the chief engineers Lauter and Bilfinger, and the architect Friedrich von Thiersch was responsible for the architectural design.

The bridge was inaugurated on 30.05.1885. After it was blown up by German troops in the spring of 1945, American units initially erected a pontoon bridge. In 1946-50, the Alexander M. Patch Bridge served as a temporary bridge a few hundred meters down the Rhine. In 1948-50, the Theodor Heuss Bridge was rebuilt and opened on 15.05.1950 in the presence of the first Federal President, Theodor Heuss. It has been named after him since 1968.

As a gift from Stadtwerke Mainz, the Theodor Heuss Bridge has been illuminated at night since 2008. Five arches span over four sandstone pillars over a total length of 475 meters. The 24 m wide and nine meter high bridge allows the B 40 to cross the Rhine.