PRELIMINARY MARKETING OF THE LA 12/TX 12 SABINE RIVER BRIDGE
Monday, March 11, 2019 at 10:52:51 AM
PRELIMINARY MARKETING OF THE LA 12/TX 12 SABINE RIVER BRIDGE
PROJECT NAME: SABINE RIVER BRIDGE LA 12
LOCATION: CALCASIEU PARISH, LOUISIANA/NEWTON COUNTY, TEXAS
LADOTD STRUCTURE NO.: 07100120100001
RECALL NO.: 031530
Description of the Bridge
The LA 12/TX 12 Sabine River Bridge (Structure No. 07100120100001, Recall No. 031530) is a center pivot swing span bridge constructed in 1936-1938 to carry LA 12/TX 12 traffic over the Sabine River. It is located between Deweyville, Texas (Newton County, Texas) and Starks, Louisiana (Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana) at the Texas/Louisiana state line (approximate latitude 30.303643, longitude -93.744063).
National Register of Historic Places Eligibility
The bridge was built during the Great Depression using federal relief funds and as part of a joint program between the Texas Highway Department and Louisiana Highway Commission to construct bi-state bridges across the Sabine River. In 2011, the bridge was listed in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), by nomination of the Newton County Historical Commission, under the name Deweyville-Starks Swing Bridge. The bridge was listed under NRHP Criteria A and C. Criterion A eligibility is satisfied in the area of transportation at the local level of significance for its association with the Evangeline Highway and the Good Roads Movement. Criterion C eligibility is satisfied at the state level of significance for being one of three remaining highway swing bridges that are fifty years old or older in Texas and is the oldest extant moveable span highway bridge in Texas.
Status of the Bridge
The bridge is jointly owned by Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD) and Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and currently carries LA 12/TX 12 across the Sabine River.
LADOTD (lead state agency), in conjunction with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Louisiana Division (lead federal agency), is proposing improvements to the existing Sabine River Bridge. Five (5) build alternatives are currently being considered, which include rehabilitation and replacement of the existing bridge, and the No Build Alternative.
No decision has been made at this time regarding which alternative will be selected. Because the bridge is historic, this preliminary marketing is being done to determine whether another entity may be interested in taking ownership of the bridge or portions of the bridge for historic preservation.
Build Alternatives currently under consideration:
Alternative 1 Bridge Rehabilitation/Widening by 4 feet (2 feet on either side)
Alternative 2 Bridge Rehabilitation/Widening by 16 feet on the north side
Alternative 3 Couplet with construction of an adjacent new bridge to the north and rehabilitation/widening of the existing bridge by 4 feet (2 feet on either side)
Alternative 4 Bridge Replacement on existing alignment using a temporary detour bridge to the north. The existing bridge would be demolished or ownership transferred to another entity that would relocate portions of the bridge for adaptive reuse.
Alternative 5 Construct bridge on new alignment north of the existing bridge. Ownership of the existing bridge would need to be transferred to another entity for adaptive reuse in place or by relocating portions of the bridge.
Approximate Dimensions of the Bridge
The overall bridge length is approximately 327 feet by 28 feet wide and is composed of four (4) 40-foot concrete approach spans and one (1) 160-foot steel plate-girder center pivot swing span.
Funds for Adaptive Reuse of the Bridge
Costs associated with preservation of the bridge by a new owner, such as lead abatement, transportation, engineering, reassembly, etc., either in its current location or at another location, would be eligible for reimbursement to the new owner in a total amount not to exceed the estimated demolition cost. Payment of the salvage value (see below) by the new owner to LADOTD would not be a reimbursable cost.
Stipulations for Bridge Ownership Transfer
The entity receiving the bridge must agree to the following:
The new owner would be charged the salvage value of the steel swing span and equipment which is estimated to be $10,000.00. This amount would not be a reimbursable preservation cost. Available federal funds are limited to the estimated demolition cost which is $250,000.00.
The bridge may have lead paint requiring abatement which would be the responsibility of the entity who acquires the bridge. The entity must accept full ownership and all financial and legal responsibilities, including, but not limited to, maintenance, liability, and permitting.
The entity shall ensure that the transferred bridge is closed to motorized vehicular traffic (e.g., cars and trucks).
If the bridge is relocated, the relocation, reassembly and necessary permitting will be the responsibility of the entity taking ownership.
The proposed use of the transferred bridge will be subject to the approval of FHWA Louisiana Division (lead federal agency), FHWA Texas Division, LADOTD (lead state agency), TxDOT, Louisiana State Historic Preservation Office (LASHPO), and Texas Historic Commission (THC).
The entity will be required to execute a preservation agreement that will include the above stipulations.
Submitting a Proposal
Interested parties must submit a proposal to LADOTD in writing (either by email or letter) of their interest by June 10, 2019. The proposal must include information about the proposed location and use of the bridge. Please reference project number H.000425 in the proposal.
Send proposals:
Via email: kreg.ellzey@la.gov
Via mail:
Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development
Section 28
Attn: Kreg Ellzey
P.O. Box 94245
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9245
Additional information:
For additional information about the bridge or the process of submitting a proposal please contact Kreg Ellzey at (225) 242-4503 or kreg.ellzey@la.gov.