Houston bridges span not only waterways and freeways, they also connect the city's past and present. From the littler bridges built to expedite commerce and connect communities in the heart of the city, to the electrifying structures constructed in the port district, bridges in Houston reflect the unique culture of the town. We have selected the best bridges for you and your family to visit while in Houston.
The Sidney Sherman Bridge
Often referred to as the Loop 610 Ship Channel Bridge, the Sidney Sherman Bridge spans the Houston Ship Channel southeast of downtown. It was named for a colonel in the Republic of Texas Military, Sidney Sherman, a leading advocate for enhancements to the Houston Ship Channel. The strutted girder bridge, assembled from steel and concrete, opened on March 2, 1973. The key span of the bridge is 600 feet long and ten lanes wide. Its traffic volume as of 2001 averaged 100 22 thousand cars per day. Native Houston people worth this bridge for its view of the Houston Ship Channel, particularly after sundown when the twinkling lights of the industrial section of the town may be seen in the distance.
Sam Houston Tollway Ship Channel Bridge
Previously called the Jesse H. Jones Memorial Bridge, this bridge crosses the Houston Ship Channel at Beltway 8 to the east of downtown Houston. The cantilevered concrete box girder bridge opened in 1982 with a main span length of 7 150 feet. Though its design might appear unassuming and minimalist compared with other major Houston bridges, the Sam Houston Tollway Ship Channel Bridge is amongst the most highly travelled. Its 4 traffic lanes saw more than twenty-eight thousand cars every day in 2002.
San Jacinto Street Bridge
This open spandrel arch bridge was built in 1914 to span Buffalo Bayou in the center of downtown Houston. It was rehabilitated in 1995. With a length of three hundred and 25 feet, the San Jacinto Street Bridge is a component of the one-way, northward bound road; southerly bound traffic must use the Fannin Street Bridge. This is worth a stop by.
Fred Hartman Bridge
The Fred Hartman Bridge connects the communities of LaPorte and Baytown. Outside Houston proper, though still within the Houston metropolitan area, this steel, cable-stayed bridge is 8 traffic lanes wide. It was built in 1995. As of 2008, its median daily traffic exceeded thirty thousand autos each day. The Fred Hartman Bridge is a must-see in Houston.
McKee Street Bridge
Found in Houston's Warehouse District, the design of McKee Street Bridge shows equal quantities history and whimsy. The bridge is on the Nation's Significant Register. Engineer James Gordon McKenzie built the girder bridge in 1932. Made from fortified concrete, the girders continue their curves above the highway, making for a weird but pleasing shape. In an urban reclamation project, an artist named Kirk Farris painted the McKee Street Bridge using bright reds and blues, adding multiple, bulbous light fixtures that add to its whimsical appearance.
The Sidney Sherman Bridge
Often referred to as the Loop 610 Ship Channel Bridge, the Sidney Sherman Bridge spans the Houston Ship Channel southeast of downtown. It was named for a colonel in the Republic of Texas Military, Sidney Sherman, a leading advocate for enhancements to the Houston Ship Channel. The strutted girder bridge, assembled from steel and concrete, opened on March 2, 1973. The key span of the bridge is 600 feet long and ten lanes wide. Its traffic volume as of 2001 averaged 100 22 thousand cars per day. Native Houston people worth this bridge for its view of the Houston Ship Channel, particularly after sundown when the twinkling lights of the industrial section of the town may be seen in the distance.
Sam Houston Tollway Ship Channel Bridge
Previously called the Jesse H. Jones Memorial Bridge, this bridge crosses the Houston Ship Channel at Beltway 8 to the east of downtown Houston. The cantilevered concrete box girder bridge opened in 1982 with a main span length of 7 150 feet. Though its design might appear unassuming and minimalist compared with other major Houston bridges, the Sam Houston Tollway Ship Channel Bridge is amongst the most highly travelled. Its 4 traffic lanes saw more than twenty-eight thousand cars every day in 2002.
San Jacinto Street Bridge
This open spandrel arch bridge was built in 1914 to span Buffalo Bayou in the center of downtown Houston. It was rehabilitated in 1995. With a length of three hundred and 25 feet, the San Jacinto Street Bridge is a component of the one-way, northward bound road; southerly bound traffic must use the Fannin Street Bridge. This is worth a stop by.
Fred Hartman Bridge
The Fred Hartman Bridge connects the communities of LaPorte and Baytown. Outside Houston proper, though still within the Houston metropolitan area, this steel, cable-stayed bridge is 8 traffic lanes wide. It was built in 1995. As of 2008, its median daily traffic exceeded thirty thousand autos each day. The Fred Hartman Bridge is a must-see in Houston.
McKee Street Bridge
Found in Houston's Warehouse District, the design of McKee Street Bridge shows equal quantities history and whimsy. The bridge is on the Nation's Significant Register. Engineer James Gordon McKenzie built the girder bridge in 1932. Made from fortified concrete, the girders continue their curves above the highway, making for a weird but pleasing shape. In an urban reclamation project, an artist named Kirk Farris painted the McKee Street Bridge using bright reds and blues, adding multiple, bulbous light fixtures that add to its whimsical appearance.
About the Author:
Shawn Shawshank has been fascinated by Houston landmarks for several years. He has written op-eds and editorial pieces for many online publications. For more information about Houston bridges feel free to visit his site.
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