Dignowity Hill Neighborhood Association

Hays Street Bridge Restoration Project

Background and History

The existing Hays Street Bridge consists of two spans, one long “Whipple” truss (the Phoenix Span-named after the company in Pennsylvania that designed it, 226’) and one short Pratt truss (129’).

They were originally a part of a lengthy railroad bridge build across the Atchafalaya Basin near Morgan City, Louisiana around 1887. When this rail line was upgraded, the spans were relocated to San Antonio in 1910 by the GH & SA Railroad Company as an above-grade automobile viaduct over their rail line. It is one of six remaining bridges in Texas using this Whipple/Phoenix truss.

On July 23, 1982 the bridge was permanently barricaded and closed to vehicular traffic because it was deemed structurally unsound. After almost 20 years of neglect and decay of the bridge, an Eastside community neighborhood development group called the Neighborhoods Acting Together (NAT), requested that the City of San Antonio's Planning Department develop a "Special Study" in 2000.

After holding a number of public brainstorm sessions to explore adaptive reuse opportunities for the bridge, it was determined that the use as a hike and bike facility would be the most appropriate and could help soften the barrier effect created by US Highway 281 between the Eastside and downtown.

In 2001 the city applied to TxDOT under the federal Transportation Equity Act for 21st Century (TEA-21) funding to help offset the costs of the restoration project. In 2001 the city applied to TxDOT under the federal Transportation Equity Act for 21st Century (TEA-21) funding to help offset the costs of the restoration project.In late 2001 the Hays Street Bridge rehabilitation received a TEA-21 reimbursement commitment of eighty percent of the proposed $3.6 million project cost.

The Hays Street Restoration Group was formed to assist with design oversight and to raise additional funds for the project. They meet with City staff on a monthly basis to discuss issues related to the bridge project.
Source: City of San Antonio Historic Preservation Web Site

Updates

On October 4, 2007 the San Antonio City Council passed an ordinance authorizing the acceptance of a one-time donation from BudCo., Ltd for a parcel of land approximately 1.7 acres, in connection with the Hays Street Bridge Rehabilitation project.

This tract of land is located near the the Hays Street Bridge bounded by Lamar, Hays and Cherry streets. The acceptance of this property provides an additional opportunity for revitalization in the Dignowity Hill area and complements the planned rehabilitation and conversion of the Hays Street Bridge.
Source: San Antonio City Council Web Site

Work on the project Starts

Finally after several years of planning and discussion, the Hays Street Bridge restoration was initiated. On Saturday May 9, 2009  the project was kicked off with a ceremony. Within a couple of days demolition of the old approaches began. By the end of the 1st week the old planks on the bridge it self were gone!