Granted, the Guadalupe River low water bridge at Gruene it isn't THAT beautiful. It was built as a utilitarian way to cross an impetuous river. Two narrow lanes more sized for Model T's than SUV's. I'm sure no great architects were ever involved in it's construction. It wasn't a graceful arch or an example of Victorian iron lacework, it was just solid concrete with some exposed re-bar here and there, barely wide enough for two pick-ups to pass slowly while the drivers gawked at the slightly tipsy bikini clad toobers try to exit the river gracefully.
A couple of years ago, a large section washed down stream several feet. The powers that do such things just picked up that section, put it back in place like a large piece of the puzzle and sort of smoothed some paving material around the raw edges. It has been a safety concern for years, too narrow, too crowded, too low, too old, too easy to fall off of, but everyone loved it. Concerned citizens tried to have it declared Historic. It really wasn't, it was merely old. It's demise came about this summer after record rains and a tragic death. No one can deny that every attempt to save the old bridge had been tried, it's sad but inevitable. Another bit of historic Comal County, Gruene & New Braunfels is coming down. To be replaced by a newer, wider, higher, safer and maybe even prettier bridge...but those of us around here will remember all the fun we had at the old one.
The tear down begins 11/12/2007 and the new bridge is scheduled to be open by Memorial Day 2008. but we all know if Sra. Guadalupe has anything to say about it - the new bridge won't open until July 4th
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