"The parkway commemorating the Natchez Trace is a star in the crown of human endeavors. It is a tool of instruction our country can turn to often to gain understanding. There have been many rewards along this journey, a journey that's as much about this country's future as it has been about the past. It offers us time to reflect and realize that the same progress that brought Europeans on board ships to the new lands of the Americas and prompted a new nation to seek convenience along the road to its Natchez frontier, those hopeful steps also drove an ancient people from their homelands.

"And today, we construct mammoth projects, which flow with hope for a grand future, bringing commerce and change to what once seemed a near boundless, flourishing wilderness -- exchanging the order of nature for the order of man.

"The Natchez Trace offers us a picture of change encapsulated within a 450 mile journey through history. It's hopeful, beautiful and at times filled with horror and tragedy.

"You can study it. You can listen to its myriad tales, but nothing compares with a first hand journey up the Trace. So, if you get the chance, I invite you to visit this grand parkway and add your footsteps along "one of the oldest roads in the world," a road through the wilderness.

"I'm Frank Thomas. Thank you for joining me."

For more about Natchez Trace: A Road Through the Wilderness, visit eddieandfrank.com

"At 4:30 in the afternoon, Saturday June 22, 1996 the National Park Service officially opened the last five miles of the Natchez Trace Parkway in Tennessee. The public along with Vice President Al Gore attended the formal ribbon cutting event near TN Highway 100.

"Following this event there was a parade of antique vehicles to represent each year the Parkway has been under construction. The parade of cars traveled from the Highway 100 terminus down to Highway 96 and assembled for public viewing below the Highway 96 Arch Bridge where there was a concert featuring country music star Amy Grant followed by music from the 101st Airborne Division Military Band.

"During that afternoon beneath the 96 bridge, visitors could see Civil War and frontier-era encampments along with characters dressed in the traditional costumes of Kaintucks and post riders. Throughout the day, prior to the ribbon cutting, hikers, runners and cyclists enjoyed the final section of the parkway making their way down to the events and exhibits below the unique and impressive Highway 96 bridge.

"It was an extremely hot and humid day there near Nashville, but the people gathered to see and be a part of the continuing story of a road that has played such an important role in shaping this great "nation of people."

"Join us next time for the final program in this series when we will complete our journey and take a last look at this outstanding parkway and the people it commemorates. I'm Frank Thomas, your guide along the Natchez Trace a road through the wilderness."

For more about Natchez Trace: A Road Through the Wilderness, visit eddieandfrank.com

"Our journey along the Natchez Trace Parkway is nearing a close as we get closer to Nashville, Tennessee. Today we are crossing Tennessee Highway 96 where we will see evidence that the story of the Natchez Trace isn't over. Today we look at the Parkway bridge across Tennessee Highway 96.

"This modern bridge across highway 96 was opened to the public June 22, 1996. It is the first segmentally constructed arch bridge in the United States -- a double arch bridge. One arch spans the length of nearly 2 football fields (582'). The entire bridge is 1648 feet long and carries the parkway 155 feet above highway 96.

"The bridge's 3 concrete piers were cast where they stand, but the arches and the super structure were cast off site in a plant under controlled conditions. Some of these segments weigh as much as 55 tons and were hauled to the site and lifted into position by a ground mounted crane. In all there are about 122 arch segments and 196 superstructure segments.

"This new approach to bridge building was designed using computer models, and tests were made throughout construction to check and refine engineering and design techniques.

"Join us next time when we will drive the last 5 miles up the Natchez Trace to its NORTHERN TERMINUS. For Natchez Trace a road through the wilderness, I'm Frank Thomas."

For more about Natchez Trace: A Road Through the Wilderness, visit eddieandfrank.com