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Cotton Belt
Road Bridge
Richland Springs, Texas
San Saba County
Text & Photos
by Judy McBride
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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have already been replaced by ordinary concrete structures (such as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. |
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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
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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