Press Release
Contact: Patrick Wilson
Huval and Associates
337-371-8296
Historic Cross Bayou A-Truss Bridge Takes First Step to Rehabilitation
On Tuesday and Wednesday, October 17 & 18, a crew from Huval Associates, a Consulting Engineer firm from Lafayette, will be on-site creating plan measurements for the historic A-Truss railroad bridge. These ‘as-built’ measurements are the first step before any formal design work or rehab can be done.
The work is being done pro bono by Huval at the urging of Patrick Wilson, an engineer there who has developed an admiration for bridge builder J.A.L. Waddell and a special affinity for this particular one of Waddell’s bridges.
There is much to admire about the Shreveport Waddell A-Truss Bridge. Originally built in 1896, it is one of only two like it still in existence in the United States. Constructed as a train bridge, it became quickly outdated as trains got larger and heavier. In 1990, KCS Railroad gave the bridge to the City of Shreveport, and soon after, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
A recently-formed A-Truss Bridge Committee made up of Wilson (chairman), engineers at the Shreveport firm Aillet, Fenner, Jolly and McClellan, City of Shreveport representatives, the Downtown Development Authority, the Caddo Levee Board and other entities, are working to identify grants and other funding opportunities. Turning the bridge into a pedestrian/bicycle bridge connecting trails along the Cross Bayou and Red River levees will be a significant undertaking, but the committee believes saving the historic bridge and returning it to usefulness is an important goal.
Engineers will be on site at the bridge at the intersection of Caddo Street and Clyde Fant Parkway Tuesday and Wednesday from 8 am- 4:30 pm. Media is welcome to come out for video and interviews.
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