The ‘Other’ Bridge Construction

Crews and contractors with Union Pacific replaced the approach to the old railroad bridge across the Colorado River in La Grange on Wednesday, Dec. 15. The work took place during an 18-hour traffic shutdown on Wednesday. Workers had spent weeks prior replacing the old wooden trestles with steel framework. They used heavy equipment including a large red crane to set concrete girders in place on Wednesday. The old steel truss that comprises the middle section of the bridge will remain in place. A plaque on the steel truss states that it was built in 1906. The worksite on the west bank of the Colorado sits on land owned by Stanley and Virginia Ohnheiser. Meanwhile, construction on the nearby Highway 71 Business bridge continues to be minimal, amid supply shortages. Photo by Andy Behlen