Lamar Boulevard Bridge
Why it's listed
Carrying Lamar Boulevard across the Colorado River near downtown Austin, this reinforced concrete bridge opened on 15 July 1942. It is 659 feet long and rests on two abutments and five river piers spaced 105 feet apart. Six pairs of segmental-arch ribs support slender columns and smaller arches beneath a deck with four traffic lanes and a sidewalk on each side. Art Deco touches appear in the fluted piers and the balustrade, which alternates concrete columns with steel railings. The Texas Highway Department's Bridge Division designed it, and Cage Brothers and L.A. Turner of Bishop, Texas, built it for a reported cost of $303,900. It was recognized for its finely crafted, unusually late open-spandrel design and for remaining almost unchanged since dedication. Later changes include streetlamps added in 1955 and a paved left-turn lane at the south approach. The limestone riprap at the abutments remains intact.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the bridge is significant under Criterion C in Engineering, Architecture and Transportation. It is a finely crafted and unusually late example of the open-spandrel design with modest Art Deco detailing. It has survived virtually unchanged since its 1942 dedication.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 94000678, listed July 7, 1994. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Lamar Blvd. over the Colorado R., Austin |
|---|---|
| County | Travis County |
| Listed | July 7, 1994 |
| Reference number | 94000678 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1941-42 (construction) |
| Architect / builder | Design: Texas Highway Department; Builder: Cage Brothers and L.A. Turner |
| Architectural style | Art Deco |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Engineering, Architecture, Transportation |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition with a high degree of integrity; still used for road traffic. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 30.26554, -97.75636 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 94000678.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14710932
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.