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San Saba County is
graced by several uncommon, and unassuming, older bridges that have done their
duty well. Several of these off-highway structures are no longer able to meet
current traffic requirements, having been designed 110 - 65 years ago for a single
lane of traffic, smaller, lighter vehicles and equipment, and even horse drawn
wagons. Some have already been replaced by ordinary concrete structures (such
as the Beveridge
Bridge), and several more are due for replacement within the next five years.
One of the remaining bridges is 5.5 miles east of Richland
Springs and
crosses Richland Creek on Cotton Belt Road (CR 236). Built in 1936, this Warren
pony truss structure originally had a wood deck on its 112-foot span. The deck
was replaced about ten years ago with lengths of 2 7/8" drill stem, recycled from
oil drilling operations, giving the bridge its unusual appearance and extending
its useful life for a few more years.
Photographer's Note:
This
plain little bridge is like so many in Texas that just do their job, without fanfare,
till they're worn out and are unceremoniously scrapped. Most can't be "saved"
except in pictures, so I guess I'll use up a little more film when nostalgia strikes!
- Judy McBride, November 17, 2006 |
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| My thanks
to Charlie Cummings for showing me this, and other, bridges in the area. Tom Dahl
of the TxDOT and Otis Judkins of San Saba Road Commission kindly provided information.
- Judy McBride |
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