Comer Bridge

The B. B. Comer Bridge, was a two-lane, 2,143-foot (653 m) long,[1] Warren truss bridge spanning the Tennessee River along Alabama State Route 35 in Scottsboro, Alabama. The bridge was named after Alabama governor Braxton Bragg Comer, who served from 1907 to 1911. Construction of the bridge was carried out by the Kansas City Bridge Company for the Alabama State Bridge Corporation. Its construction commenced in 1929 and was complete by 1931.[2] As of 2013, this was the only remaining bridge of the 15 memorial toll bridges constructed by the Alabama State Bridge Corporation.[3]

B. B. Comer Bridge
Coordinates34°38′29″N 85°58′39″W
CrossesTennessee River
Characteristics
DesignWarren Through Steel Truss
Total length2,143 ft
Width19.7 ft
History
Constructed byKansas City Bridge Company for the Alabama State Bridge Corporation
Opened1931
ClosedApril 29, 2016
Statistics
Daily traffic8,150 (2009)
Tolllifted 1936
Location

By 2007, the aging structure was classified by the Alabama Department of Transportation as being a structurally deficient bridge with an overall rating of 7.7 out of 100.[1] Construction of a replacement bridge commenced in October 2007, and is expected to be completed in late 2015.[2][3] As of April 2016, the replacement is several months away from completion. The Comer Bridge was scheduled to be demolished in 2015 although preservation efforts are underway and the Comer Bridge Foundation has been organized.[4] In April 2013, the bridge was named one of the top ten "Top Rated Unique Savable Structures" by BridgeHunter.com.[3] On October 31, 2013, the B. B. Comer Bridge was added to the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage. On April 29, 2016, the bridge closed to all traffic with the opening of the new bridge. Crews began removing the road deck immediately after closure. Demolition of the original span began June, 2016 and was completed in July. A pyramid shaped sculpture built from the steel of the north entrance of the bridge was installed at Scottsboro High School in May 2018 as a monument to the bridge.

See also

References
  1. Aldrich, Mazie (August 7, 2007). "B.B Comer differs from collapsed bridge". The Scottsboro Clarion.
  2. Brewer, David (October 11, 2007). "Work begins on replacing Comer Bridge". The Huntsville Times.
  3. Benton, Ben (April 8, 2013). "Preservationists eye saving the B.B. Comer Bridge over the Tennessee River". Chattanooga Times Free Press. Chattanooga, TN: WEHCO Media. Retrieved August 11, 2013.
  4. Kazak, Kelly (August 10, 2013). "Jackson County residents pledge to fight 'uphill battle' to save historic B.B. Comer Bridge". The Huntsville Times. Huntsville, AL: Advance Publications. Retrieved August 11, 2013.


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