The city of Austin and its environment are home to a few famous or consequential bridges, many of which date back to the late 1880s. Some are tourist attractions, while others span quiet rivers. Fans of bridge architecture, history and design will enjoy uncovering these treasures around Austin.
Congress Avenue Bridge
Crossing Lady Bird Lake in the middle of Austin, Congress Avenue bridge offers excellent 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, vacationers and locals alike visit the bridge at dusk to marvel 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 attach the North and South Loop 360 Highway and is frequently referred to as the 360 Bridge. The arched weathering steel bridge carries motor vehicles, bikes and foot traffic. The bridge spans a lake, created when the Colorado River was dammed. A public landing for boats is located under the southerly side of the bridge, making it a popular spot for land and water fans. Built in the Through Arch style, it has got a weathered patina which mixes in well with the encircling 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 one of the most vital historic bridges in Austin. Built in 1887, it is an example of one of the longest, most complex and earliest built of the truss-type Austin bridges. Spanning the Guadalupe River, the bridge is only open to bike and pedestrian traffic since being spoilt by fire in 1978. The bridge is sited in the heart of the city of Austin and lets visitors to bike or leisurely mooch over the Guadalupe River. Built out of wrought iron, the bridge is now on the National Historic Register. Its marker notes it was the 1st permanent "toll-free" structures to cross a major waterway. Bridge fans find the bridge to be one of the very finest examples Whipple Truss engineering. Only briefly 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 close to 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 the trip. Built in 1909, it was employed to carry products across the river. By the mid-1930s, the city of Bryant Station was nearly non-existent and is now a ghost town. The straightforward design of the bridge is a reflection 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 of a dirt road, nonetheless it is really worth the excursion. The sole signs of Bryant Station are the graveyards, the bridge and the city marker. While closed to all traffic, visitors can explore the remains to get a glimpse of life in a nineteenth century trading post.
Regency Bridge and Beveridge Bridge
Located in San Saba, the Regency Bridge is the sole suspension bridge in Texas that is open to auto traffic. Built in 1939, it is a single lane bridge with a wood deck. While traffic is light, visitors need to remain aware it's in use. They are on the National Historic Register. Locals recommend that you picnic by the bridge, but there is no official picnic area. The Beveridge Bridge is an iron suspension bridge and is down stream from the Regency. It was open to motor vehicle traffic till 2004 and is now open for pedestrians to walk across and take in picturesque 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 middle of Austin, Congress Avenue bridge offers excellent 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, vacationers and locals alike visit the bridge at dusk to marvel 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 attach the North and South Loop 360 Highway and is frequently referred to as the 360 Bridge. The arched weathering steel bridge carries motor vehicles, bikes and foot traffic. The bridge spans a lake, created when the Colorado River was dammed. A public landing for boats is located under the southerly side of the bridge, making it a popular spot for land and water fans. Built in the Through Arch style, it has got a weathered patina which mixes in well with the encircling 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 one of the most vital historic bridges in Austin. Built in 1887, it is an example of one of the longest, most complex and earliest built of the truss-type Austin bridges. Spanning the Guadalupe River, the bridge is only open to bike and pedestrian traffic since being spoilt by fire in 1978. The bridge is sited in the heart of the city of Austin and lets visitors to bike or leisurely mooch over the Guadalupe River. Built out of wrought iron, the bridge is now on the National Historic Register. Its marker notes it was the 1st permanent "toll-free" structures to cross a major waterway. Bridge fans find the bridge to be one of the very finest examples Whipple Truss engineering. Only briefly 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 close to 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 the trip. Built in 1909, it was employed to carry products across the river. By the mid-1930s, the city of Bryant Station was nearly non-existent and is now a ghost town. The straightforward design of the bridge is a reflection 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 of a dirt road, nonetheless it is really worth the excursion. The sole signs of Bryant Station are the graveyards, the bridge and the city marker. While closed to all traffic, visitors can explore the remains to get a glimpse of life in a nineteenth century trading post.
Regency Bridge and Beveridge Bridge
Located in San Saba, the Regency Bridge is the sole suspension bridge in Texas that is open to auto traffic. Built in 1939, it is a single lane bridge with a wood deck. While traffic is light, visitors need to remain aware it's in use. They are on the National Historic Register. Locals recommend that you picnic by the bridge, but there is no official picnic area. The Beveridge Bridge is an iron suspension bridge and is down stream from the Regency. It was open to motor vehicle traffic till 2004 and is now open for pedestrians to walk across and take in picturesque 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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