Old Iron Bridge (Bastrop, Texas)

Old Iron Bridge
Pedestrian bridge crossing the Colorado River in Bastrop
Coordinates30°06′36″N 97°19′23″W / 30.11°N 97.323°W / 30.11; -97.323
CarriesPedestrian traffic
CrossesColorado River
LocaleBastrop, Texas
USA
OwnerCity of Bastrop
Characteristics
DesignParker through truss bridge
MaterialSteel, reinforced concrete
Total length1,285 feet (392 m)
Longest span192 feet (59 m)
No. of lanes2
History
ArchitectG.G. Wickline
Contracted lead designerR.E. Schiller
Constructed byKansas City Bridge Company
Construction start1923 (1923)
Construction cost$167,500
OpenedJanuary 1924 (1924-January)
Old Iron Bridge
Old Iron Bridge at Bastrop is located in Texas
Old Iron Bridge at Bastrop
Old Iron Bridge at Bastrop
Old Iron Bridge at Bastrop is located in the United States
Old Iron Bridge at Bastrop
Old Iron Bridge at Bastrop
Coordinates30°06′18″N 97°19′22″W / 30.10500°N 97.32278°W / 30.10500; -97.32278
Arealess than one acre
MPSBastrop Historic and Architectural MRA
NRHP reference No.90001031
Added to NRHPJuly 19, 1990
Location
Map

The Old Iron Bridge, also referred to as Colorado River Bridge, is a 1,285-foot (392 m)-long bridge with three steel truss spans and concrete piers that crosses the Colorado River in Bastrop, Texas, United States. The bridge is one of the earliest surviving uses of the Parker truss in Texas.[1]

History

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With automobiles becoming the dominant form of transportation in the United States after World War I, a new bridge was needed to handle the increasing traffic between Houston and Austin. The original estimate of the cost of the Old Iron Bridge was $45,000 and was partially financed by bonds and local taxes.[1] Bids on the project were solicited and the Kansas City Bridge Co. was selected as contractor. The final cost of the bridge's construction was $167,500. The bridge was completed in 1923 and opened for use in January 1924. The original bridge torn down in the early 1930s.[1][2]

The bridge was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on July 19, 1990.[1]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d Herrera, Andrés (October 30, 2024). "Old Iron Bridge". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Archived from the original on November 7, 2024.
  2. ^ "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form (Colorado River Bridge at Bastrop)" (PDF). National Park Service. 1990 – via Texas Historical Commission.
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