Construction started in October 1937, during the Japanese occupation of the island, and before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor two years later, had completed 32 supports.
民國廿五年，西螺地方人士成立「西螺架設濁水溪人道橋同盟會」，促請日本興建西螺大橋，以改善南北交通，屢經陳情，終獲批准。民國廿六年十月動工，興建兩年多，完成三十二座橋墩。