Rating:
4 votes

Barker Bridge

Williamson County, Texas
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Photos 

Barrel View from North

Photo taken by Garry Taylor August 2011

Map 

Description 

The bridge design is quite interesting and unlike any other bridges in the area I've seen. The "T"-style vertical struts are the most striking feature to me. The deck is wood covered in asphalt and the condition is very poor. There are many holes, loose planks and a 2 foot mising section near the center. The bridge bounces and sways considerably even with just two people on it and there is no guard rail of any kind. Be extremely careful exploring this bridge.

Facts 

Overview
Bridge over Brushy Creek on Old CR457
Location
Williamson County, Texas
Status
Abandonded
History
Used to carry Hwy 95 until bypassed in mid-1960's.
Dimensions
Length of largest span: 105.0 ft.
Total length: 156.0 ft.
Deck width: 15.0 ft.
Also called
Through truss bridge over Brushy Creek on CR 457
Approximate latitude, longitude
+30.46843, -97.40570   (decimal degrees)
30°28'06" N, 97°24'21" W   (degrees°minutes'seconds")
Approximate UTM coordinates
14/653048/3371772 (zone/easting/northing)
USGS topographic map
Coupland
Inventory number
BH 49453 (Bridgehunter.com ID)

Categories 

Built 1913 (507)
Built during 1910s (6,729)
Closed (2,071)
Pratt through truss (3,166)
Pratt truss (5,660)
Span length 100-125 feet (3,299)
 Texas (1,527)
Through truss (9,209)
Total length 125-175 feet (4,137)
Truss (23,573)
Williamson County, Texas (18)

Update Log 

  • September 1, 2011: Updated by Garry Taylor: Updated various details.
  • August 29, 2011: Added by Garry Taylor

Sources 

  • Garry Taylor - indy311 [at] gmail [dot] com
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Comments 

Barker Bridge
Posted September 2, 2011, by Nathan Holth (form3 [at] historicbridges [dot] org)

I am having trouble visualizing what is going on with this member. Is it two angles, and how are they positioned? I would like to see additional detail photos of this built-up beam from a variety of angles to better visualize the layout of this perhaps one-of-a-kind design.

Barker Bridge
Posted September 1, 2011, by Michael Goff (michael [dot] goff [at] odot [dot] state [dot] or [dot] us)

This is indeed a unique member. I have never seen anything like that reversing angle lattice built up section. It must have been in interesting challenge to fabricate.

Barker Bridge
Posted September 1, 2011, by Robert Elder (robertelder1 [at] gmail [dot] com)

With apologies to JR Manning, it looks like this is another bridge built by the infamous Two Holes in Span Bridge Co.

Barker Bridge
Posted September 1, 2011, by Tony Dillon (spansaver [at] hotmail [dot] com)

Can't tell from Garry Taylor's photos if pic #2 is of one of the main verticals, or perhaps just one of the outer panel "hanger" verts. Whatever the case this is one of the most unusual configurations I have ever seen.

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