Section 3: Definition and Identification
Anchor: #i1015411Historic Bridge Definition
Historic bridges are defined as bridges listed or eligible to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). A bridge that is rare in type, unusual from an engineering perspective, or historically significant because of its location or association with an important event or person may be deemed a historic bridge. This determination is made by the TxDOT Environmental Affairs Division (ENV) in consultation with the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO). Texas has numerous examples of historic bridges, including metal truss bridges, concrete arch or span bridges, and suspension bridges. Additional information about historic bridges can be found on the TxDOT ENV website.
Anchor: #i1015622Historic Bridge Information
A historic bridge can be identified by coding in TxDOT’s Bridge Inspection Database. The database contains bridge inventory, inspection, and appraisal data for each bridge class structure on public roadways in Texas. Item 37 in the database indicates a bridge's historical significance; this value is maintained and updated by ENV. Coding practices used to identify historic bridges within the database are presented in the table below.
|
Code |
Description |
|---|---|
|
1 |
Bridge is ON the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). |
|
2 |
Bridge is ELIGIBLE for the NRHP. |
|
3 |
Bridge is NOT ELIGIBLE for the NRHP. |
|
4 |
Bridge is at least 40 years old; historical significance has not been determined. |
|
5 |
Bridge is less than 40 years old. |
Once a bridge has been identified as historic, project development must proceed according to federal and state laws governing historic bridges. These laws are discussed in more detail in Chapter 2.