BRIDGE CITY —
The Cow Bayou Swing Bridge is a piece of local history, but, at 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 1, it will officially become part of state history.
The Cow Bayou Swing Bridge, located on East Roundbunch Road just outside of Bridge City, will have a dedication ceremony at 2 p.m., Saturday, as a state historical marker is unveiled at the bridge. The public is invited to attend.
The bridge, which was built in 1939-1940, is one of only two its kind remaining in Texas and members of the Bridge City Citizens for Historic Preservation, which is now disbanded, helped to keep the bridge intact when plans were announced to have it dismantled.
Thanks to committee members such as Beverly Perry and Mark Dunn, along with organizations such as the Texas Historical Commission and Historic Bridge Foundation, the Cow Bayou Bridge was not only spared, but also placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2010. This makes the bridge just one of six such locations in Orange County.
“It’s a part of the city’s history and that’s why Mark (Dunn) and I, and so many others, were so enthused to save it,” Beverly Perry stated in a press release.
Although the bridge has been around for more than 70 years, it has been dealt moderate damage through years of use and deadly storms, such as Hurricane Rita and Hurricane Ike.
Surveys of the bridge following each of these storms indicates the Cow Bayou Bridge is in need of major repairs. Fortunately, those repairs will be forthcoming in 2013.
Funding from a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and from Round 2 Disaster grant will help finance the project which is estimated at $15.6 million.
The bridge will be “refurbished” and will be 99.5 percent new when completed. The project will include the rehabilitation of the swing bridge structure, bridge control house, repair of both electrical and mechanical components, embankments, boat fender system, pedestrian walkway and more. The swing span concrete deck will be replaced, and traffic safety systems will be installed.
The bridge will also be closed to traffic for a short period during its renovation.
Our Community
Related Photos
-
The Cow Bayou Swing Bridge outside of Bridge City will be the site of a dedication ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 1, for the unveiling of a state historical marker. Leader photo by Tommy Mann Jr.
-
The Cow Bayou Swing Bridge outside of Bridge City will be the site of a dedication ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 1, for the unveiling of a state historical marker. Leader photo by Tommy Mann Jr.
Related Links
Discussion
Bridge to receive historical marker Saturday
- Our Community
-
-
Revival to help Orange African American Museum
Minister of Samaritan Way Outreach Ministries Barbara Myles wanted to do something to help the Orange African American Museum.
-
Serving our country 5.18.13
Airman 1st Class Andrea K. Rhodes
-
OISD seeks assistance with Wall of Honor
The Orangefield Independent School District and its athletic department are wanted to recognize a select group of distinguished Bobcats.
-
Public invited to special needs softball game
A softball game created for a select group of students is generating a lot of excitement in the community.
-
Down on the Boardwalk
A large group, comprised of City of Orange and Orange County elected officials, the Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce, civic leaders and members of the community, participated in the grand opening ribbon cutting of the Orange Riverfront Boardwalk and Pavilion on Friday afternoon.
-
“Roll of Fame” awarded
Vidor Rotary Club President Sally Andrews, at left, receives the “Roll of Fame” award from Brenda Walker District governor, at the District 5910 conference held May 4 in Palestine, Texas.
-
Heartbeats of Hope to hold annual rabies clinic Saturday
A local organization is providing an affordable opportunity to protect your cat or dog against disease this weekend.
-
May is Motorcycle Awareness Month in WO
Citizens of West Orange are urged to do their part to increase safety and awareness of Motorcycle Safety and Awareness during the month of May.
-
New time for Orange African American Museum membership meetings
The members of the Orange African American Museum will now meet at 5:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month starting June 11, 2013.
-
Stark Museum to host book discussion
The Stark Museum of Art, located at 712 Green Avenue in Orange, Texas, will host a Book Discussion of Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, 2013.
- More Our Community Headlines
-
Revival to help Orange African American Museum
