Available Historic Bridges

Description of the Bridge

 

The U.S. 80 at Clarke Bayou Bridge (Structure No. 04080010316232, Recall No. 012200, and Louisiana Historic Resource Inventory No. 08-03431) is a two-lane, 12 span bridge constructed in 1930 of concrete box culverts. The bridge functions as a couplet carrying westbound traffic on U.S. 80, in the town of Princeton, Louisiana in Bossier Parish (approximately Latitude 32.567911, Longitude -93.485500). The overall bridge length is approximately 109 feet with a width of 28.2 feet.

 

National Register Eligibility

Through consultation between the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the Louisiana State Historic Preservation Officer (LASHPO), and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP), the bridge was determined eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Preservation (NRHP). It was categorized as a Preservation Candidate for Historic Preservation in the Programmatic Agreement among the FHWA, the LADOTD, the ACHP, and the LASHPO Regarding Management of Historic Bridges in Louisiana, executed August 25, 2015.

This concrete box culvert bridge has significance as an important example of technological solutions to particular site conditions in Louisiana. The significance is demonstrated by the presence of distinctive design features, which consist of a double decker, multi-unit box design. This unique design, where two rows of box culvert barrels are stacked, allowed for the relatively inexpensive culvert form to be used without flooding on the roadway. The culvert bridge is able to convey its significant design features and is eligible for listing in the National Register under Criterion C: Design/Engineering.

Status of the Bridge

The bridge is owned by the State of Louisiana and currently carries U.S. 80 vehicular traffic westbound over Clarke Bayou. LADOTD in conjunction with the FHWA proposes replacement of the bridge under State Project No. H.014059 and Federal Project No. H014059. The estimated replacement date is to be determined.

As a mitigation stipulation for the Adverse Effect to this historic bridge, the bridge is being marketed to other entities for historic preservation. If ownership of the bridge is not transferred to another entity for an alternate use at a different location, the bridge will be demolished.

Re-use of the bridge as a non-vehicular bridge is encouraged. If you are interested in acquiring this bridge for adaptive, non-vehicular use please read the stipulations for bridge ownership transfer below. This bridge will be marketed until October 16, 2026.

Contact Jennie García, PhD, using the link below, by October 16, 2026, if you are interested in acquiring this bridge for non-vehicular, adaptive re-use of if you have any questions on submitting a proposal.

 

Dimensions of the Bridge

The overall bridge length is approximately 109 feet long by 28 feet wide.

Funds for Relocation and Reuse of the Bridge

Typically, a new owner would be required to pay the salvage for a bridge LADOTD is replacing. However, LADOTD has determined that the estimated salvage value is $0 as the culvert/bridge was cast-in-place with concrete and reinforcing steel for this specific site and there are no steel components.
The amount calculated for demolition/removal for this bridge is $50,000 would be available as a reimbursement to a new owner for the bridge’s historic preservation expenses.

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 bridge which is estimated to be $0. According to Title 7 Section 14(A) of the Louisiana Constitution, property or things of value of the state shall not be donated to or for any person, association, or corporation, public or private.

The bridge is not known to contain lead based paint. However, the new owners of the bridge would assume all responsibility for lead based paint abatement should lead based paint be discovered on the bridge. LADOTD would not be responsible for lead paint abatement after the bridge is transferred to a new owner.

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), LADOTD (lead state agency), and the Louisiana State Historic Preservation Office (LASHPO).

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 October 16, 2026. Please reference project number H.014059 in your proposal.
Send Proposals:
Via email: [email protected]
Via mail: Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development
Section 28
P.O. Box 94245
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9245
Attn: Jennie García

 

The proposal must address:

Location and use: Where will the bridge be relocated, what will be its new use, and how will it be made accessible to the public?

Setting: Will the bridge continue to maintain a similar crossing at its original site, such as a water crossing or as a separation structure? Does the proposed relocation site have a similar setting as the original?

Assumption of responsibilities: The new owner must demonstrate understanding of the specific responsibilities they will take over when ownership is transferred, including title and insurance. The proposal must specifically discuss that the new owner will:

1. Maintain the bridge and the features that give the historic bridge its historic significance for a period of at least 20 years; and
2. Assume all future legal and financial responsibility for the historic bridge, which may include an agreement to hold the state transportation department harmless in any liability action.

Rehabilitation: Are there plans prepared for the rehabilitation of the structure on the new site? Do the plans meet the Secretary of the Interior Standards? In the case of disassembly, are disassembly plans prepared?

Requirements and studies: Describe any additional special requirements for the reuse of the bridge (e.g., if the bridge will be used by pedestrians, railing geometry and capacity restrictions for this use should be considered) and any additional studies or environmental clearances that are needed for the relocation, including potential archaeology survey of new site.

Cost estimate of the cost to relocate the structure and the reinstall at new site, including how funds will be obtained or raised.

Schedule: Outline of the proposed relocation schedule, addressing ability to have bridge off its current site by the scheduled replacement date (to be determined by LADOTD) and plans for temporary storage of the bridge, if needed.

Evaluation of Proposals

Proposals will be reviewed by a selected committee including representatives of LADOTD environmental and bridge staff, and the LASHPO. Each proposal will be reviewed and evaluated based on how well it meets the above proposal criteria.
If the first choice in owner withdraws from the process prior to relocation, the bridge will not be re-marketed. Rather, the review committee’s second choice in owner, if any, will be selected. The timeframe for relocation will not be re-started with the re-selection; however, a relocation extension may be granted at the owner’s discretion. If there is no proposal that meets the above proposal criteria, then the bridge can be demolished.

Schedule for Review of Proposals

Proposals will be reviewed within 2 weeks of submittal deadline.

Additional information:

If you have any questions about the bridge or the process of submitting a proposal, please contact Jennie García, PhD, at (225) 242-4509 or [email protected].

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