Washington Avenue Bridge
NBI Information
Location
State: Texas
County: McLennan County
Feature Carried: Washington Avenue
Feature Crossed: Brazos River
Latitude, Longitude: 31.5611, -97.1296
Toll: On free road
Maintenance Responsibility: City or Municipal Highway Agency
Structure Open, Posted, or Closed to Traffic: Open, no restriction
History
Year Built: 1901
Historical Significance: Bridge is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Year Reconstructed: 2010
Picture Date: October 23, 2021
Geometry
Lanes on Structure: 2
Lanes under Structure: 0
Skew: 0 degrees
Number of Main Spans: 1
Main Structure Type: Truss - Thru
Main Structure Material: Steel
Number of Approach Spans: 2
Approach Structure Type: Girder and Floorbeam System
Approach Structure Material: Steel
Condition
Inspection Date: April 2022
Deck Condition: Good
Superstructure Condition: Fair
Substructure Condition: Satisfactory
Channel Condition: Very Good
Culvert: Not Applicable
NBI Year: 2024
Bridge Information
The Washington Avenue Bridge is a Pennsylvania through truss and was built in 1901. The truss has a span of 450 feet, which is an extremely long span length for a simply spanning truss bridge. When first built, this bridge was claimed to be the longest known simply spanning truss bridge in the world, although it fell short of that in reality. However, it was the longest simple span truss in Texas.
The truss has a fairly complex configuration, with built-up beams featuring extensive lattice and v-lacing. There is also decorative portal and knee bracing, including star-shaped cutouts on the portal bracing. In addition to the truss span, there are deck plate girder approach spans on either end of the bridge.
The bridge was rehabilitated in 2010 to allow for continued vehicular use, and special care was made to maintain the historical integrity of the bridge. It was painted black to match the original color, and the original pedestrian railings remain on the bridge. However, stronger guiderail was added to ensure the safety of motorists and the bridge.
References
Historic Bridges: https://historicbridges.org/bridges/browser/?bridgebrowser=texas/washington/
Waco History: https://wacohistory.org/items/show/65
Baylor University: https://blogs.baylor.edu/texascollection/2021/11/03/texas-over-time-the-washington-avenue-bridge-at-120-years-1901-2021-waco-texas/
