Look: Union Pacific takes apart unique steel truss bridge in Texas

The bridge was built in 1904 to handle rail traffic between New Orleans and Houston.

Union Pacific was hauling away a local landmark late last week in Liberty, Texas.

Crews began lifting pieces of an old truss bridge that spans the Trinity River along U.S. 90. A new steel bridge will be built as a replacement.

Two spans were pulled on May 12, and the final sections will be removed in July.

The 523-ft-long span was built in 1904 by the Texas and New Orleans Railroad to handle rail traffic between New Orleans and Houston. The route is vital because it connects to the port cities of Beaumont and Houston. The bridge has two different types of trusses: A Parker Bowstring Truss in the east and a Pratt Through-Truss in the west.

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