The Yale Street Bridge was built in 1931, decades before the southern end of the Heights became a busy shopping area. The bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, but it’s also been ranked as one of the worst bridges in Texas.
“It has a low rating in the load limits,” says TxDOT spokesman Danny Perez. “Right now it has to be enforced through the assistance of law enforcement, so 18-wheelers can’t pass over it.”
The Texas Transportation Commission has now awarded a $2.8 million dollar contract to build a new bridge. TxDOT expects to start construction late this year.
Perez says it’ll have wider lanes and sidewalks, but they also considered its historic character.
“The new railing is going to look similar to the existing concrete railing that’s there at this time,” Perez explains.
The Houston Heights Association says it asked TxDOT to consider the bridge’s style in designing the new structure. It also asked that bricks from the bridge be incorporated into new decorative elements nearby.