Austin, Texas and its surrounding area are home to several famous or important bridges, many of which date back to the late 1880's. Some are tourist attractions, while others span quiet rivers. Fans of bridge history, design and architecture will enjoy experiencing these treasures in the Austin area.
Congress Avenue Bridge
Crossing Lady Bird Lake in the heart of Austin, Congress Avenue bridge offers fantastic views of downtown Austin. As an interesting bonus, it is residence to the largest urban bat colony in Northern America. From mid-March through November, visitors and locals alike visit the bridge at dusk to wonder at the look of the bats flying out for their evening meal. One 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 up the North and South Loop 360 Highway and is often referred to as the 360 Bridge. The arched weathering steel bridge carries automobiles, bikes and pedestrians. The bridge spans a lake, formed when the Colorado River was dammed. A public landing for boats is located under the south side of the bridge, making it a popular spot for land and water fans. Built in the Through Arch style, it has a weathered patina which fuses in well with the surrounding natural setting. No part of the bridge touches the water, which lies one hundred feet below the bridge deck. The bridge must be high enough to allow ships to pass beneath 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. Built in 1887, Faust Street Bridge is an example of one of the longest, earliest built and most complex of the truss-type Austin bridges. Spanning the Guadalupe River, the bridge is just open to bike and pedestrian traffic since being ruined by fire in 1978. The bridge is sited in the centre of Austin and lets visitors to bike or slow ramble over the Guadalupe River. Built of wrought iron, the bridge is now on the National Historic Register. Its marker notes that this was the very first permanent "toll-free" structures to cross a major waterway. Bridge aficionados find the bridge to be one of the best examples Whipple Truss engineering. Only temporarily popular, it is hard to find existing examples of the design. The unique construction is a testament to its longevity and historical importance.
Bryant Station Bridge
Bryant Station Bridge is one of two surviving "camelback through truss" bridges in Austin. Found in Milam County, this bridge crosses the Little River near the old Bryant Station trading post. Even thought the bridge is no longer being used, the Bryant Station Bridge is one of the Austin bridges worth a trip. Built in 1909, it was employed to carry products across the river. By the mid-1930s, the city of Bryant Station was virtually non-existent and is at present a ghost town. The straightforward construction of the bridge is a by-product of the time it was built and gives visitors an immediate feel for the age. It can be hard to find since it is off a dirt road, nonetheless it is really worth the trip. The few remnants of Bryant Station are the cemeteries, the bridge and the town 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 sole suspension bridge in Texas that is open to automobile traffic. Built in 1939, it's a single lane bridge with a wood deck. While traffic is light, visitors need to be aware that it is in use. They are on the National Historic Register. Area locals endorse that you picnic by the bridge, but there's no official picnic area. The Beveridge Bridge is an iron suspension bridge and is down river from the Regency. It was open to motor vehicle traffic till 2004 and is now open for pedestrians to stroll across and take in great views of the San Saba River and the encircling countryside. The bridges offer clear view and pleasant winds from the city to a lovely park.
Congress Avenue Bridge
Crossing Lady Bird Lake in the heart of Austin, Congress Avenue bridge offers fantastic views of downtown Austin. As an interesting bonus, it is residence to the largest urban bat colony in Northern America. From mid-March through November, visitors and locals alike visit the bridge at dusk to wonder at the look of the bats flying out for their evening meal. One 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 up the North and South Loop 360 Highway and is often referred to as the 360 Bridge. The arched weathering steel bridge carries automobiles, bikes and pedestrians. The bridge spans a lake, formed when the Colorado River was dammed. A public landing for boats is located under the south side of the bridge, making it a popular spot for land and water fans. Built in the Through Arch style, it has a weathered patina which fuses in well with the surrounding natural setting. No part of the bridge touches the water, which lies one hundred feet below the bridge deck. The bridge must be high enough to allow ships to pass beneath 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. Built in 1887, Faust Street Bridge is an example of one of the longest, earliest built and most complex of the truss-type Austin bridges. Spanning the Guadalupe River, the bridge is just open to bike and pedestrian traffic since being ruined by fire in 1978. The bridge is sited in the centre of Austin and lets visitors to bike or slow ramble over the Guadalupe River. Built of wrought iron, the bridge is now on the National Historic Register. Its marker notes that this was the very first permanent "toll-free" structures to cross a major waterway. Bridge aficionados find the bridge to be one of the best examples Whipple Truss engineering. Only temporarily popular, it is hard to find existing examples of the design. The unique construction is a testament to its longevity and historical importance.
Bryant Station Bridge
Bryant Station Bridge is one of two surviving "camelback through truss" bridges in Austin. Found in Milam County, this bridge crosses the Little River near the old Bryant Station trading post. Even thought the bridge is no longer being used, the Bryant Station Bridge is one of the Austin bridges worth a trip. Built in 1909, it was employed to carry products across the river. By the mid-1930s, the city of Bryant Station was virtually non-existent and is at present a ghost town. The straightforward construction of the bridge is a by-product of the time it was built and gives visitors an immediate feel for the age. It can be hard to find since it is off a dirt road, nonetheless it is really worth the trip. The few remnants of Bryant Station are the cemeteries, the bridge and the town 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 sole suspension bridge in Texas that is open to automobile traffic. Built in 1939, it's a single lane bridge with a wood deck. While traffic is light, visitors need to be aware that it is in use. They are on the National Historic Register. Area locals endorse that you picnic by the bridge, but there's no official picnic area. The Beveridge Bridge is an iron suspension bridge and is down river from the Regency. It was open to motor vehicle traffic till 2004 and is now open for pedestrians to stroll across and take in great views of the San Saba River and the encircling countryside. The bridges offer clear view and pleasant winds from the city to a lovely park.
About the Author:
Rachel Rosen has been interested in Austin bridges and architecture for a number of years. She has written op-eds and editorial pieces for many different online publications. For more info about Austin landmarks, come visit her site here.
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