White Rock Creek Bridge Cotton Belt Line

DART is selling off one of the Cotton Belt Line bridges across White Rock Creek for $1.

[dartdaily.dart.org]



Built in 1917 I think there is still a plaque on it commemorating the construction. This bridge is just south of Keller Springs Road and west of Preston. As a teenager I used to fish here a lot and climbing to the top of the bridge was a lot of fun.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/14/2021 06:19AM by Ben S..

Thanks for the information, Ben. I see that DART wants to "sell" the bridge to someone who will take on the costs of removing it from DART property. So this is just a way for DART to avoid the costs of removal itself. One comment on the for sale notice mentioned that a plan had been in place for the bridge to be moved to a hike and bike trail. Parks people must have found the costs to be too much?

Of course, there are lots of old bridges like this in the world, but still, I hate to see such things done away with. Hopefully some entity that will preserve it and even more hopefully, use it will show up.

I thought this "Silver Line" was well on its way to completion. That must not be the case.

Dave McNeely

Here is some new video of the bridge removal over White Rock Creek west of Preston and south of Keller Springs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oxqjMeIOqo

So, there were no takers to buy the bridge for a dollar. Wonder why? And I guess DART nor parks has room for the whole thing.

Dave McNeely

The bridge was rarely seen by the public and I would guess did not have strong advocates for re-purposing. The new DART silver line construction has really disappointed area residents along the old rail line. Especially the McKamy and Spanky branches of White Rock Creek where a lot of land has been cleared of trees. Surprised it caught so many flat footed when the bulldozers showed up. It has been planned for at least 35 years now.

As time passes, people forget things. Matters that seem very important become less so or are just no longer paid any attention to as newer phenomena show up. Unless there was recent publicity about the specific plans as operations approached, most people probably didn't even remember where the line was going in -- until the equipment appeared and work started.

Dave McNeely