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Pennybacker Bridge
The Percy V. Pennybacker Jr. Bridge in Austin, Texas, is a through-arch bridge across Lake Austin which connects the northern and southern sections of the Loop 360 highway, also known as the "Capital of Texas Highway". Due to its arched weathering-steel bridge and the rolling hills on its northern side, this structure is regarded as a scenic route in Texas.
In 2001, 48,000 vehicles crossed the bridge daily. Ten years prior to this, 22,000 vehicles had crossed the bridge daily.
The bridge is constructed such that no part of the structure touches the water 100 feet (30 m) below. The bridge is 1,150 feet (351 m) long with a 600-foot (183 m) central arched span. This design keeps Lake Austin free from support columns because the recreational lake (really a dammed stretch of the Colorado River) is popular with boaters and waterskiers. The untied arch suspension span is suspended by 72 steel cables. At the time of its construction, it was only the second bridge of its design in the world.
The bridge has four lanes, two in each direction, separated by a middle barrier wall. The bridge also has a 6-foot-wide (1.8 m) bike and pedestrian lane. The bike access on the bridge is one reason for Loop 360's popularity with cyclists. The south approach provides a turnaround under the bridge along with lake access for public boating.
The steel bridge has a uniform weathered rust finish allowing the bridge to blend in with the surrounding hills and lake.
Originally envisioned as a western circular road, Loop 360 began planning in 1962. As part of Loop 360's construction, a contractor was selected to cut into the rock at the site of the future bridge and approach roads due to the area's terrain. This rock debris was deposited along the lakeshore at the site of the proposed bridge, raising environmental concerns. At one point, the Austin Navigation Board considered legal action against the contractor responsible for the rock debris.
Throughout the design and build process, concerns were expressed by elected officials and residents over the environmental effects of such a bridge, particularly the possibility of concrete pillars being driven into the lakebed. The bridge was redesigned in 1978 as a tied-arch bridge to avoid placing pillars into the water.
The contract for the bridge was let in late 1979.
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Pennybacker Bridge
The Percy V. Pennybacker Jr. Bridge in Austin, Texas, is a through-arch bridge across Lake Austin which connects the northern and southern sections of the Loop 360 highway, also known as the "Capital of Texas Highway". Due to its arched weathering-steel bridge and the rolling hills on its northern side, this structure is regarded as a scenic route in Texas.
In 2001, 48,000 vehicles crossed the bridge daily. Ten years prior to this, 22,000 vehicles had crossed the bridge daily.
The bridge is constructed such that no part of the structure touches the water 100 feet (30 m) below. The bridge is 1,150 feet (351 m) long with a 600-foot (183 m) central arched span. This design keeps Lake Austin free from support columns because the recreational lake (really a dammed stretch of the Colorado River) is popular with boaters and waterskiers. The untied arch suspension span is suspended by 72 steel cables. At the time of its construction, it was only the second bridge of its design in the world.
The bridge has four lanes, two in each direction, separated by a middle barrier wall. The bridge also has a 6-foot-wide (1.8 m) bike and pedestrian lane. The bike access on the bridge is one reason for Loop 360's popularity with cyclists. The south approach provides a turnaround under the bridge along with lake access for public boating.
The steel bridge has a uniform weathered rust finish allowing the bridge to blend in with the surrounding hills and lake.
Originally envisioned as a western circular road, Loop 360 began planning in 1962. As part of Loop 360's construction, a contractor was selected to cut into the rock at the site of the future bridge and approach roads due to the area's terrain. This rock debris was deposited along the lakeshore at the site of the proposed bridge, raising environmental concerns. At one point, the Austin Navigation Board considered legal action against the contractor responsible for the rock debris.
Throughout the design and build process, concerns were expressed by elected officials and residents over the environmental effects of such a bridge, particularly the possibility of concrete pillars being driven into the lakebed. The bridge was redesigned in 1978 as a tied-arch bridge to avoid placing pillars into the water.
The contract for the bridge was let in late 1979.