PARKING A BRIDGE — The move of two rural bridges to a city-owned site in Rockdale is complete.
The Sheckels and Galbreath Crossing bridges are now permanent residents on the site, located just west of Southwest Milam Water Supply on East Cameron Avenue (US 79).
City Manager Chris Whittaker said the city is considering moving the Henderson Crossing bridge, currently at the city skate park, to join them.
The area is temporarily called “Bridge Park” and future plans may include walking trails and other improvements.
The bridges are already drawing interest from the public.
photo by Mike Brown
The Sheckels and Galbreath Crossing bridges are now permanent residents on the site, located just west of Southwest Milam Water Supply on East Cameron Avenue (US 79).
City Manager Chris Whittaker said the city is considering moving the Henderson Crossing bridge, currently at the city skate park, to join them.
The area is temporarily called “Bridge Park” and future plans may include walking trails and other improvements.
The bridges are already drawing interest from the public.
photo by Mike Brown
Milam County Historical Commission
Milam County, Texas
Milam County, Texas
Parking a Bridge
Rockdale Reporter
2015-10-22
Rockdale Reporter
2015-10-22
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NOTES FROM THE CITY
By CHRIS WHITTAKER, Rockdale City Manager
Rockdale Reporter - 2015-12-10
So, the plan was backwards.
It developed from an idea and request to the commissioners court and then a midnight requisition.
Normally, you develop a plan, staff it to make sure you meet all the requirements, garner approval and then execute.
This one did not work that way and was quite shocking how fast it went. Rockdale was offered two bridges, one on private land and the other on county property.
The Galbreath and Sheckles bridges lay adorning the side of the road and woven into the landscape with years of trees and bushes intertwined into the skeletons forgotten and unseen.
We have now solicited proposals from residents for the park design and will hire an architect to develop a concept that will highlight the bridges but also make it a multi-use place.
We are working some projects also to set the bridges on concrete piers to get them off the ground and make them more stable.
We will then hire some structural engineers to help us out with figuring out how to preserve and repair them so that we can build ramps to cross them.
The architect had some initial great ideas about weaving paths over the bridges and around the park connecting the Depot as part of a greater walking trail for Rockdale.
What a great idea! It is great to see people already migrating down there to take pictures or just hang out.
Keep the ideas coming as we make this a great part of Rockdale.
citymanager@rockdalecityhall.com
.
By CHRIS WHITTAKER, Rockdale City Manager
Rockdale Reporter - 2015-12-10
So, the plan was backwards.
It developed from an idea and request to the commissioners court and then a midnight requisition.
Normally, you develop a plan, staff it to make sure you meet all the requirements, garner approval and then execute.
This one did not work that way and was quite shocking how fast it went. Rockdale was offered two bridges, one on private land and the other on county property.
The Galbreath and Sheckles bridges lay adorning the side of the road and woven into the landscape with years of trees and bushes intertwined into the skeletons forgotten and unseen.
We have now solicited proposals from residents for the park design and will hire an architect to develop a concept that will highlight the bridges but also make it a multi-use place.
We are working some projects also to set the bridges on concrete piers to get them off the ground and make them more stable.
We will then hire some structural engineers to help us out with figuring out how to preserve and repair them so that we can build ramps to cross them.
The architect had some initial great ideas about weaving paths over the bridges and around the park connecting the Depot as part of a greater walking trail for Rockdale.
What a great idea! It is great to see people already migrating down there to take pictures or just hang out.
Keep the ideas coming as we make this a great part of Rockdale.
citymanager@rockdalecityhall.com
.