Congress Avenue Bridge
The Congress Avenue Bridge is a landmark in the City of Austin, Texas. The bridge spans Lady Bird Lake and provides access to the Capital of Texas Highway from downtown. As a result, it is one of the most-photographed landmarks in the city. It has been called "beautiful," "iconic," and even "Austin's Eiffel Tower."
Beautiful and functional
The bridge is also unique. It has six lanes of traffic, with three going in each direction. There are sidewalks on either side so pedestrians can get to the other side without having to go back downtown and cross at the next available intersection or street crossing. The Congress Avenue Bridge consists of two bridges: a southbound bridge and a northbound bridge. Each one is made up of three spans and has a length of 360 feet (110 m).
There are also six lamp posts on each side that light the way at night. The lamps were installed in 1993 and have an Art Deco design, which makes them perfect for this 1930s-era structure. They were donated by the Austin Electric Company. The bridge was built in the art deco style as well with a mix of architectural styles that include neoclassical and Beaux-Arts—the two dominant styles during the 1920s.
It took five years to build, from June 1925 until September 1930, for $350,000 (equal to $ today). The construction was done by the Austin Bridge Company, which also built bridges on Lady Bird Lake.
The bridge is named after Congress Avenue (pronounced /ˈkɒŋˌsɔrj ˈævəndʒ/) because it leads to the Texas State Capitol building located in downtown Austin.
Sixth Street Bridge
The bridge is also known as the "Sixth Street Bridge" or even just "the Congress Avenue Bridge." It has been featured in films, music videos, and album covers. For example, it was used for a scene in Dazed and Confused, an American comedy-drama film starring Matthew McConaughey that takes place in Texas during the 1970s.
The bridge has undergone several major renovations since it opened due to deterioration and damage. The last renovation was completed in 2009 for $14 million (equal to $ today). As part of the project, new pedestrian bridges were built on both sides of Lady Bird Lake so people could cross safely without having to go back to the streets.
The Congress Avenue Bridge is a perfect example of "form follows function." Its design allowed it to be used for its original purpose while also making sure that everyone who uses it can do so in safety and comfort.
CCA Concrete Contractor Austin offers Austin, TX concrete construction
CCA Concrete Contractor Austin
Looking for quality concrete construction in Austin? Get a FREE QUOTE from our expert contractors for your residential or commercial project.
Quick Links
Get In Touch
CCA Concrete Contractor Austin
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 598-6550
© 2019 CCA Concrete Contractor Austin | Privacy Policy & Terms of Service