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 centre of the city, to the provoking structures constructed in the port district, bridges in Houston reflect the unique culture of the town. There is a list right below for you to pick and choose at least one bridge to visit while in Houston. Have fun!
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 after a colonel in the Republic of Texas Armed forces, Sidney Sherman, a leading counsel for enhancements to the Houston Ship Channel. The strutted girder bridge, made of steel and concrete, opened on March 2, 1973. The main span of the bridge is 600 feet long and ten lanes wide. Its traffic volume as of 2001 averaged one hundred twenty two thousand autos every day. Local Houston folk worth this bridge for its view of the Houston Ship Channel, especially at night when the twinkling lights of the business section of the city 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 architecture might seem unassuming and minimalist compared with other major Houston bridges, the Sam Houston Tollway Ship Channel Bridge is amongst the most highly travelled. Its four traffic lanes saw more than twenty-eight thousand vehicles a day in 2002.
San Jacinto Street Bridge
This open spandrel arch bridge was built in 1914 to span Buffalo Bayou in the guts of downtown Houston. It was rehabilitated in 1995. With a length of 300 and 25 feet, the San Jacinto Street Bridge is an element of the one-way, northward bound road; southerly bound traffic must use the Fannin Street Bridge. The open spandrel arch is a less common bridge design.
Fred Hartman Bridge
The Fred Hartman Bridge connects the communities of LaPorte and Baytown. Outside Houston correct, though still in the Houston metropolitan area, this steel, cable-stayed bridge is eight traffic lanes wide. It was built in 1995. As of 2008, its average daily traffic surpassed thirty thousand vehicles per day. Due to the shape of its towers, this bridge makes an incredible view of the Houston Ship Channel.
McKee Street Bridge
Found in Houston's Warehouse District, the design of McKee Street Bridge shows equal proportions history and caprice. The bridge is on the Nation's Significant Register. Engineer James Gordon McKenzie built the girder bridge in 1932. Made from bolstered 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 fittings 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 after a colonel in the Republic of Texas Armed forces, Sidney Sherman, a leading counsel for enhancements to the Houston Ship Channel. The strutted girder bridge, made of steel and concrete, opened on March 2, 1973. The main span of the bridge is 600 feet long and ten lanes wide. Its traffic volume as of 2001 averaged one hundred twenty two thousand autos every day. Local Houston folk worth this bridge for its view of the Houston Ship Channel, especially at night when the twinkling lights of the business section of the city 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 architecture might seem unassuming and minimalist compared with other major Houston bridges, the Sam Houston Tollway Ship Channel Bridge is amongst the most highly travelled. Its four traffic lanes saw more than twenty-eight thousand vehicles a day in 2002.
San Jacinto Street Bridge
This open spandrel arch bridge was built in 1914 to span Buffalo Bayou in the guts of downtown Houston. It was rehabilitated in 1995. With a length of 300 and 25 feet, the San Jacinto Street Bridge is an element of the one-way, northward bound road; southerly bound traffic must use the Fannin Street Bridge. The open spandrel arch is a less common bridge design.
Fred Hartman Bridge
The Fred Hartman Bridge connects the communities of LaPorte and Baytown. Outside Houston correct, though still in the Houston metropolitan area, this steel, cable-stayed bridge is eight traffic lanes wide. It was built in 1995. As of 2008, its average daily traffic surpassed thirty thousand vehicles per day. Due to the shape of its towers, this bridge makes an incredible view of the Houston Ship Channel.
McKee Street Bridge
Found in Houston's Warehouse District, the design of McKee Street Bridge shows equal proportions history and caprice. The bridge is on the Nation's Significant Register. Engineer James Gordon McKenzie built the girder bridge in 1932. Made from bolstered 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 fittings that add to its whimsical appearance.
About the Author:
Shawn Shawshank has been interested in Houston landmarks for a few years. He has written op-eds and editorial pieces for many online publications. For more details about Houston bridges please visit his site.
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