Locale: Bluff Dale Cable-Stay Bridge

[KD5NRH]

Probably the oldest of its type in the U.S. It's long since been closed to vehicles, but the newer bridge paralleling it makes a nice spot for getting those shots of someone standing on a bridge from a vantage point that appears to be hanging in space.

I was more interested in documentation that art when I went to this site, so I didn't wait for perfect light, but this should be plenty for folks to get ideas from.





Just about 300 yards off US377 on CR149 in Bluff Dale. Follow the historical marker signs, and you'll end up either at the bridge or at the old public water pump. If you get to the water pump, go back to 377, turn right, and go to the next historical marker sign. Just across the tracks, you'll see the bridge.

FWIW, the water pump used to be a great location, but now it's in the middle of a truck parking and loading area. It might still be possible to get some good shots there with a lot of creativity, but I didn't see any good opportunities that morning.

[rdking91]

yo joe, sorry i do not know where bluff dale is... i think it's in my neck of the woods but i can't prove it!! nay help would be great

thanks
dc

[KD5NRH]

Originally Posted by rdking91

yo joe, sorry i do not know where bluff dale is... i think it's in my neck of the woods but i can't prove it!! nay help would be great

US377, about 15 miles west of Granbury, 45 miles west of Fort Worth. ("South," if you're going by the signs on 377, but by the compass it's WSW from those cities.)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluff_Dale,_Texas
http://www.texasescapes.com/CentralT...Dale-Texas.htm

[venchka]

Do you reckon this thing is safe to walk on?

[KD5NRH]

Originally Posted by venchka

Do you reckon this thing is safe to walk on?

I'm no engineer, but I walked back and forth at least four or five times the day I took those pics. I'm 200lbs, and it swayed noticeably with me, but never to the point where I felt like I would fall or harm the bridge at all.

[sporkthedork]

Very nice looking locale; I'll have to make my way over there when I'm visiting the family in Granbury. Neat.

[venchka]

Originally Posted by KD5NRH

I'm no engineer, but I walked back and forth at least four or five times the day I took those pics. I'm 200lbs, and it swayed noticeably with me, but never to the point where I felt like I would fall or harm the bridge at all.

Thanks! That's the information I was looking for.

[TxTowman]

Cable stay bridges are designed to absorb the energy exerted from weight applied to the deck.

It will move with a 50 pound dog running on it.

Walk out onto a bridge on an interstate highway and you will be astounded how much it moves.