Austin, Texas and its surroundings are home to many famous or important bridges, many of which date back to the late 1880s. Some are tourist attractions, while others span quiet rivers and streams. Fans of bridge design, architecture and history will enjoy experiencing these treasures in the Austin area.
Congress Avenue Bridge
Crossing Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin, Congress Avenue bridge offers excellent views of downtown Austin. As an interesting bonus, it is residence to the biggest urban bat colony in Northern America. From mid-March through November, tourists and locals alike visit the bridge at dusk to look at the appearance of the bats taking off for their evening meal. A way to view both the bridge and its inhabitants is to take a sunset cruise.
Percy V. Pennybacker Bridge
The Pennybacker Bridge opened in 1982. The bridge crosses Lake Austin to connect the North and South Loop 360 Highway and is frequently referred to as the 360 Bridge. The arched weathering steel bridge carries motor vehicles, bicycles and people on foot. The bridge spans a lake, formed when the Colorado River was dammed. A public landing for boats is located under the southern side of the bridge, making it a favored spot for land and water sport enthusiasts. Built in the Through Arch style, it's got a weathered patina which blends in well with the encircling natural setting. No part of the bridge touches the water, which lies one hundred feet below the bridge deck. This allows for clear passage for watercraft under the bridge. Visitors can enjoy the view from the bridge, and then enjoy a canoe trip on Lake Austin.
Faust Street Bridge
Located in New Braunfels, the Faust Street Bridge is thought of as one of the most significant historic bridges in Austin and Texas. Built in 1887, it is an example of one of the earliest built, longest and most complex of the truss-type Austin bridges. Spanning the Guadalupe River, the bridge is only open to cycle and pedestrian traffic since being ruined by fire in 1978. The bridge is situated in the heart of the city of Austin and lets visitors to bike or slow ramble over the Guadalupe River. Built out of wrought iron, the bridge is now on the National Historic Register. Its marker notes that it was the very first permanent "toll-free" structures to cross a major waterway. Bridge fans find the bridge to be one of the very best examples Whipple Truss engineering. Only briefly popular, it is tricky to find existing examples of the design. The unique construction is a testament to its longevity and historical significance.
Bryant Station Bridge
Bryant Station Bridge is one of two surviving "camelback through truss" bridges in Austin. Located in Milam County, this bridge crosses the Little River close to the old Bryant Station trading post. While no longer in use, the Bryant Station Bridge is one of the Austin bridges worth a trip. Built in 1909, it was employed to carry commodities across the Little River. By the mid-1930s, the city of Bryant Station was nearly non-existent and is at present a ghost town. The straightforward construction of the bridge is a result of the time it was built and gives visitors a fast feel for the era. It can be hard to find since it is off a dusty road, nonetheless it is actually worth the excursion. The sole remnants of Bryant Station are the graveyard, the bridge and the city marker. While closed to all traffic, visitors can explore the remains to get a glance of life at a 1800's century trading post.
Regency Bridge and Beveridge Bridge
Found in San Saba, the Regency Bridge is the only suspension bridge in Texas that is open to motor vehicle traffic. Built in 1939, the bridge is a single lane bridge with a wood deck. While traffic is light, visitors need to be aware that it's in use. The Regency and Beveridge Bridges are on the National Historic Register. Area locals endorse that you picnic by the bridge, but there is no official picnic area. The Beveridge Bridge is an iron suspension bridge and is down river from the Regency. It was open to automobile traffic until 2004 and is now open for pedestrians to stroll across and take in awesome views of the San Saba River and the encircling area. The bridges offer unobtrusive view and pleasant winds from the city to an attractive park.
Congress Avenue Bridge
Crossing Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin, Congress Avenue bridge offers excellent views of downtown Austin. As an interesting bonus, it is residence to the biggest urban bat colony in Northern America. From mid-March through November, tourists and locals alike visit the bridge at dusk to look at the appearance of the bats taking off for their evening meal. A way to view both the bridge and its inhabitants is to take a sunset cruise.
Percy V. Pennybacker Bridge
The Pennybacker Bridge opened in 1982. The bridge crosses Lake Austin to connect the North and South Loop 360 Highway and is frequently referred to as the 360 Bridge. The arched weathering steel bridge carries motor vehicles, bicycles and people on foot. The bridge spans a lake, formed when the Colorado River was dammed. A public landing for boats is located under the southern side of the bridge, making it a favored spot for land and water sport enthusiasts. Built in the Through Arch style, it's got a weathered patina which blends in well with the encircling natural setting. No part of the bridge touches the water, which lies one hundred feet below the bridge deck. This allows for clear passage for watercraft under the bridge. Visitors can enjoy the view from the bridge, and then enjoy a canoe trip on Lake Austin.
Faust Street Bridge
Located in New Braunfels, the Faust Street Bridge is thought of as one of the most significant historic bridges in Austin and Texas. Built in 1887, it is an example of one of the earliest built, longest and most complex of the truss-type Austin bridges. Spanning the Guadalupe River, the bridge is only open to cycle and pedestrian traffic since being ruined by fire in 1978. The bridge is situated in the heart of the city of Austin and lets visitors to bike or slow ramble over the Guadalupe River. Built out of wrought iron, the bridge is now on the National Historic Register. Its marker notes that it was the very first permanent "toll-free" structures to cross a major waterway. Bridge fans find the bridge to be one of the very best examples Whipple Truss engineering. Only briefly popular, it is tricky to find existing examples of the design. The unique construction is a testament to its longevity and historical significance.
Bryant Station Bridge
Bryant Station Bridge is one of two surviving "camelback through truss" bridges in Austin. Located in Milam County, this bridge crosses the Little River close to the old Bryant Station trading post. While no longer in use, the Bryant Station Bridge is one of the Austin bridges worth a trip. Built in 1909, it was employed to carry commodities across the Little River. By the mid-1930s, the city of Bryant Station was nearly non-existent and is at present a ghost town. The straightforward construction of the bridge is a result of the time it was built and gives visitors a fast feel for the era. It can be hard to find since it is off a dusty road, nonetheless it is actually worth the excursion. The sole remnants of Bryant Station are the graveyard, the bridge and the city marker. While closed to all traffic, visitors can explore the remains to get a glance of life at a 1800's century trading post.
Regency Bridge and Beveridge Bridge
Found in San Saba, the Regency Bridge is the only suspension bridge in Texas that is open to motor vehicle traffic. Built in 1939, the bridge is a single lane bridge with a wood deck. While traffic is light, visitors need to be aware that it's in use. The Regency and Beveridge Bridges are on the National Historic Register. Area locals endorse that you picnic by the bridge, but there is no official picnic area. The Beveridge Bridge is an iron suspension bridge and is down river from the Regency. It was open to automobile traffic until 2004 and is now open for pedestrians to stroll across and take in awesome views of the San Saba River and the encircling area. The bridges offer unobtrusive view and pleasant winds from the city to an attractive park.
About the Author:
Rachel Rosen has had an interested in Austin bridges and architecture for a few years. Rosen has penned editorial pieces and op-eds for many different web publications. For the details about Austin landmarks, please visit her site here.
