Roanoke Relocating Historic Bridge

Roanoke to Relocate Historic Bridge
By A. Lee Graham
Staff Writer
The bridge spanning Henrietta Creek at Litsey Road has seen better days.

But one of Roanoke’s unsung landmarks awaits a facelift — and relocation.

"It’s been here forever," said City Manager Jimmy Stathatos, hoping a structure that’s supported countless vehicles can do the same for pedestrians.

To that end, the City Council recently approved $15,000 to move the bridge from its existing location to the city’s public works facility along Marshall Creek Road.

Plans call for the structure to be restored as a walking bridge and relocated to a city park.

The bridge is classified as historical by the Denton County Historical Commission.

No date has been set, but residents shouldn’t be surprised when the structure is taken from its existing location to property east of Cannon Parkway Park and north of Byron Nelson Boulevard.

Though $15,000 will pay for moving the iron structure, about $69,000 would fund the bridge’s relocation and restoration.

The expenditure is expected to be considered at Tuesday’s council meeting.

Proximity to pedestrian walkways played a role in choosing the bridge’s future home.

"The Cade Branch site adjacent to Cannon Parkway Park will allow for a future trail connection between Cannon Parkway Park and Roanoke Community Park," said Brian C. Haynes, a project manager with Halff Associates, commenting in a memo.

"There are a lot of historic, sentimental feelings tied to that bridge," said Stathatos. "It’s going to be exciting, especially with our interest in preserving historical aspects of our city."

Relocating and renewing the structure as a walking bridge sees planners give new purpose to a structure that otherwise could have been demolished.

Instead, the same mindset that spurred Oak Street redevelopment appears benefiting another historic landmark.
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