If you would like to sign up for notification of historic bridge availability please contact Stacie Palmer at stacie.palmer@la.gov

Louisiana Historic Bridge Marketing For Alternate Use Program

Submitting a proposal for historic bridge transfer of ownership

Parties expressing interest in relocating the bridge must send a proposal to relocate the bridge.

The proposal must address:

·         Location and use: Where will the bridge be relocated, what will be its new use, and how it will be made accessible to the public?

·         Setting: Will the bridge continue to maintain a similar crossing as its original site, such as a water crossing or as separation structure? Does the proposed relocation site have a similar setting as the original?

·         Assumption of responsibilities: The new owner must demonstrate understanding of the specific responsibilities they will take over when ownership is transferred, including title and insurance. The proposal must specifically discuss that the new owner will:

a) Maintain the bridge and the features that give the historic bridge its historic significance for a period of at least 20 years; and

b) Assume all future legal and financial responsibility for the historic bridge, which may include an agreement to hold the state transportation department harmless in any liability action.

·         Rehabilitation: Are there plans prepared for the rehabilitation of the structure on site? Do the plans meet the Secretary’s Standards? In the case of disassembly, are disassembly and reassembly plans prepared?

·         Requirements and studies: Describe any additional special requirements for the reuse of the bridge (e.g., if the bridge will be used for pedestrians, railing geometry and capacity restrictions for this use should be considered) and any additional studies or environmental clearances that are needed for the relocation, including potential archaeology survey of new site.

·            Cost: Estimate of the cost to relocate the structure and reinstall at new site, including how funds will be obtained or raised.

·            Schedule: Outline of proposed relocation schedule, addressing ability to have bridge off its current site by date set by current owner and plans for temporary storage of the bridge, if needed.

Evaluation of potential new owner

Proposals will be reviewed by a selected committee including representatives of LADOTD environmental and bridge staff, and the LASHPO. Each proposal will be reviewed and evaluated based on how well it meets the above proposal criteria. If the first choice in owner withdraws from the process prior to relocation, the bridge will not be remarketed. Rather, the review committee’s second choice in owner, if any, will be selected. The timeframe for relocation will not be re-started with the re-selection; however, a relocation extension may be granted at the owner’s discretion. If there is no proposal that meets the above proposal criteria, then the bridge can be demolished.​

AVAILABLE HISTORIC BRIDGES

 US 371 Bridge over Kansas City Southern (KCS) Railroad Minden; Recall No. 019040 

Description of the Bridge

The US 371 Bridge over Kansas City Southern (KCS) Railroad Minden (Structure Number 046000270313242, Recall Number 019040, Louisiana Historic Resource Inventory No. 60-00407) is a two-lane, one-sp019040a.jpgan bridge constructed in 1935 of concrete deck and bents with steel I-beams. It is located on US Highway 371, just south of Minden, Louisiana in Webster Parish, Louisiana (approximately Latitude 32.591694, Longitude -93.291694). The overall bridge length is approximately 130 feet with a width of 27 feet.

National Register Eligibility

Through consultation between the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the Louisiana State Historic Preservation Officer (LASHPO), and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP), the bridge was determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The bridge is categorized as a Preservation Candidate bridge under the Programmatic Agreement among FHWA, LADOTD, the ACHP, and LASHPO Regarding Management of Historic Bridges in Louisiana (PA), executed August 25, 2015 (viewable at this link: http://wwwapps.dotd.la.gov/administration/public_info/projects/home.aspx?key=48).

This steel I-beam bridge has significance for its association with important trends or events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of Louisiana history. The significance of this grade separation structure is directly related to its funding through the U.S. Works Program Grade Crossing program during the Depression-era to provide safe railroad-highway crossings. In the 1930s, increased attention was given to creating grade separations between railway lines and roads and specific legislation was passed to provide funds for highway-rail grade separations through the NIRA (1933), Hayden Cartwright Act (1934), and Emergency Relief Appropriation Act (1935). The U.S. Works Grade Crossing Program resulted from the Emergency Relief Appropriation Act funding. This bridge’s association with a federal Depression-era program is documented in the Louisiana Highway Commission Biennial reports. The bridge exhibits alterations to the railing that results in a minor loss of integrity, but continues to convey its significance as the work of the Emergency Relief Appropriation Act. This bridge is eligible for the National Register under Criterion A: Politics/Government and Transportation. No evidence was found during research or data collection activities to indicate that this bridge is an important example of bridge design, engineering, or construction. This bridge does not possess significance under Criterion C.

Status of the Bridge

The bridge is owned by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and currently carries US 371 vehicular traffic over the KCS Railroad Minden. LADOTD in conjunction with the FHWA proposes replacement of the bridge under State Project No H.012030 and Federal Project Number H012030. The estimated replacement date is to be determined.

As a mitigation stipulation for the Adverse Effect to this historic bridge, the bridge is being marketed to other entities for historic preservation. If ownership of the bridge is not transferred to another entity for an alternate use at a different location, the bridge will be demolished.

The bridge contains lead based paint.

A new owner would be required to pay the salvage value of $32,632 for this bridge.  

The amount calculated for demolition for this bridge is $210,600.  Up to $210,600 would be available as a reimbursement to a new owner for the bridge's historic preservation expenses.   

Re-use of the bridge as a non-vehicular bridge is encouraged. If you are interested in acquiring this bridge for adaptive, non-vehicular use please read the stipulations for bridge ownership transfer below. This bridge will be marketed until March 21, 2025. Contact Patrick Vines at Patrick Vines@la.gov or 225-242-4514 by March 21, 2025 if you are interested in acquiring this bridge for non-vehicular, adaptive re-use or if you have questions on submitting a proposal.​

 

US 371 Bridge over Illinois Central Railroad; Recall Number 018970018970a.jpg

Description of the Bridge

The US 371 Bridge over Illinois Central Railroad (Structure Number 04600270309511, Recall Number 018970, Louisiana Historic Resource Inventory No. 60-00406) is a two-lane, three-span bridge constructed in 1934 of concrete deck and girders. It is located on US Highway 371, in the town of Sibley, Louisiana in Webster Parish, Louisiana (approximately Latitude 32.539583, Longitude -93.295778). The overall bridge length is approximately 122 feet with a width of 37 feet.

National Register Eligibility

Through consultation between the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the Louisiana State Historic Preservation Officer (LASHPO), and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP), the bridge was determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) as a Non-Priority for Historic Preservation due to its condition and the probability that it could not be rehabilitated or modified to meet transportation criteria and the U.S. Secretary of the Interior standards for the treatment of historic bridges. Additionally, it was included in the Programmatic Agreement Among the FHWA, the LADOTD, the ACHP and the LASHPO regarding Management of Historic Bridges in Louisiana, executed August 25, 2015, (viewable at this link: http://wwwapps.dotd.la.gov/administration/public_info/projects/home.aspx?key=48).

This concrete deck girder bridge has significance for its association with important trends or events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of Louisiana history. The significance of this grade-separation structure is directly related to its funding through the National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA) program during the Depression-era to provide safe railroad-highway crossings. In the 1930s, increased attention was given to creating grade separations between railway lines and roads and specific legislation was passed to provide funds for highway-rail grade separations through the NIRA (1933), Hayden Cartwright Act (1934), and Emergency Relief Appropriation Act (1935). This bridge’s association with a federal Depression-era program is documented in the Louisiana Highway Commission Biennial reports. The bridge exhibits alterations to the railing that results in a minor loss of integrity, but continues to convey its significance as the work of the NIRA. This bridge is eligible for the National Register under Criterion A: Politics/Government and Transportation. No evidence was found during research or data collection activities to indicate that this bridge is an important example of bridge design, engineering, or construction. This bridge does not possess significance under Criterion C.

Status of the Bridge

The bridge is owned by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and currently carries US 371 vehicular traffic over the Illinois Central Railroad at Sibley. LADOTD in conjunction with the FHWA proposes replacement of the bridge under State Project No H.012030 and Federal Project Number H012030. The estimated replacement date is to be determined.

As a mitigation stipulation for the Adverse Effect to this historic bridge, the bridge is being marketed to other entities for historic preservation. If ownership of the bridge is not transferred to another entity for an alternate use at a different location, the bridge will be demolished.

The bridge contains lead based paint.

A new owner would be required to pay the salvage value for this bridge.​

The amount calculated for demolition for this bridge is $175,680.  Up to $175,680 would be available as a reimbursement to a new owner for the bridge's historic preservation expenses.   ​

Re-use of the bridge as a non-vehicular bridge is encouraged. If you are interested in acquiring this bridge for adaptive, non-vehicular use please read the stipulations for bridge ownership transfer below. This bridge will be marketed until February 22, 2025. Contact Patrick Vines at Patrick Vines@la.gov or 225-242-4514 by March 21, 2025 if you are interested in acquiring this bridge for non-vehicular, adaptive re-use or if you have questions on submitting a proposal.​


SUCCESSFUL HISTORIC BRIDGE MARKETING

Bayou Teche Bridge at Oaklawn on La. 323

Ownership Transfer Complete; Bridge Has Been Removed.

To watch an 11 minute video on the bridge removal and relocation, please visit

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Description of the Bridge
The Bayou Teche Bridge at Oaklawn (Structure Number 03514083000201) formerly located on LA 323 between LA 87 and Parish Road 28/Irish Bend Road was constructed circa 1942 and is a one lane, low steel truss (Warren) swing span.

National Register Eligibility
The bridge was determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion C as the earliest surviving Warren Polygonal truss, low swing-span bridge constructed on the Bayou Teche during World War II, and under Criterion A as the cost of bridge construction was split three ways among the Louisiana Department of Highways, the St. Mary Parish Police Jury, and Oaklawn and Sterling Plantation owners at that time, which was a unique situation and remains rare.

Status of the Bridge

The Bayou Teche Bridge at Oaklawn has been removed from the state highway system and has been transferred to its new owner on private property.  The new owner has re-established the bridge which is visible near the junction of LA 87 and LA 323. Please do not trespass.    

 

 
 

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