11 Most Endangered Historic Places
Bridge of Lions
Year Listed: 1997
Location: St. Augustine, Florida
Current Status: Saved
Threat: Road Construction
Photo: James Quine
Significance
Facing calls for its replacement with a new, larger crossing, St. Augustine's Bridge of Lions was in danger of being destroyed in 1997.
The 1927 bridge had been carrying traffic over the Matanzas River for almost 75 years – a fittingly picturesque entry into one of America's oldest cities. Featuring marble lions guarding the western portal, tile-roofed towers flanking the draw, and 23 pairs of graceful arches, the Bridge of Lions was an integral component of St. Augustine's historic skyline.
Updates
The condition of the bridge warranted an extensive rehabilitation. These efforts blended with the ornate architecture of the existing bridge while maintaining current bridge design requirements. Superstructure elements including the bridge deck, interior steel framing elements, and bridge railing were replaced. Rehabilitation efforts focused on repairing the existing arched steel plate girders rather than replacing them.
In March 2010, some 13 years after the deteriorating beloved structure was threatened with demolition, the Bridge of Lions reopens with great celebration.
