Modern lift bridge with concrete arch approach spans over Galveston Bay on BNSF Railway (and former highway).
Built 1912, Original Bascule replaced in 1987; 1987 bascule span replaced in 2012 by a lift span.
[Bridge Hunter]
A combined railroad and vehicle causeway was built in 1893 using a swing span for the navigation channel and trusses for the other spans. But it got destroyed by a hurricane in 1900. The concrete arches we see today were built between 1909 and 1912 to withstand hurricanes. The arches survived a hurricane in 1915, but the earth filled sections leading to the bridge were washed away. When they were rebuilt, concrete was used instead of earth.
The lift span is significantly longer than the 1987 bascule span.
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safe_image for Rail bridge moved into place, Feb 14, 2020, James Nielson/Chronicle Workers wait in the fog during as the new Galveston Causeway Railroad Bridge is brought in on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012, in Galveston. The 382-foot bridge will replace the old 125-foot span that connects Galveston to the mainland. Construction began on the $80 million project in June of 2010 and is expected to be completed by this coming June. BNSF Railway's Regional Director og Public Affairs Joseph Faust said: "It was a spectacular sight to see the structure appear in Galveston Bay” during the foggy morning float in of the bridge. |
Tom Bell posted four photos with the comment: "Here are some shots for you all. firstly, replacement of the Galveston causeway bridge for UPRR/ASTF/SP/MP, now just BNSF and UPRR joint trackage."
Postcard via Bridge Hunter |
Douglas Butler posted Galveston Bay Scherzer Bascule Bridge was replaced with another Rolling Lift Bridge Texas Railroad History. Michael A. Brodine: Now that been replaced with a lift bridge. Douglas Butler: Michael A. Brodine the second rolling lift bridge was replaced by a lift bridge this is the first Scherzer Bascule Bridge and the second one is not affiliated with Scherzer but it's still referred as Scherzer Type Rolling Lift Bridge but that's not Scherzer's design. Douglas Butler shared |
The 1987 movable span was designed by the American Bridge Division of US Steel (Chicago Engineering Office). I-45 was replaced in 2003 and 2008 to widen the shipping canal and to provide 8 lanes of traffic.
TexasFreeway |
Douglas Butler posted Galveston Bay Rolling Lift Bridge was replaced with a vertical lift bridge and moved to Petaluma, CA Southwest Rails. Douglas Butler shared Source: Southwestern Rails Second Galveston Bay Railroad Bridge TX. |
Patrick Feller Flickr, License: Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY)New Galveston Causeway Railroad Lift Bridge 0219121402This new lift bridge was very recently [2012] put into place to replace the bascule bridge. The existing channel was dangerously narrow and the Coast Guard had ordered it widened. The old causeway structure between the two towers will be removed. |
Paul Vernon posted Douglas Butler shared |
Douglas Butler posted From Flickr BNSF Railroad Lift Bridge in Galveston, TX. |
Satellite |
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SMU Libraries Flickr via Bridge Hunter, |
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Patrick Feller Flickr via Bridge Hunter, License: Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) BNSF Approaching Lift Bridge, Galveston Causeway |
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Via Bridge Hunter, Public Domain: Published Prior to 1923 [It looks like each span covered 78'. The 8' pier added to the 70' arch.] |
Via Bridge Hunter, Public Domain: Published Prior to 1923 [This explains why there was originally three tracks, one was for interurban. The "County Section" was for road traffic.] |
The causeway from the railroad's perspective...
ReplyDeletehttp://txrrhistory.com/towers/097/097.htm
These bridges in Causeway Bridges at Galveston are so amazing. They are designed so perfectly and they look beautiful as well. Thanks for sharing this with us. Now it's time to avail water bottle for more information.
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