Title
Discussion of issues relating to a recommendation from the Golf Course Committee to remove the Pratt Truss structure at the Battleground Golf Course.
Body
Summary:
Due to its deteriorating condition, the City engaged RPS (formerly Klotz Associates) to perform an evaluation of the historic significance of the Pratt Truss Bridge located at the Battleground Golf Course. Additionally RPS was asked to explore options for the truss bridge which included 1) repairing the historic truss structure, 2) replacing the truss structure with a similar type structure to maintain the historic appearance of the bridge, or 3) removing the truss structure.
The truss bridge, which dates from 1891, was relocated in the mid-1990's from Coryell County to the Battleground Golf Course as part of a transportation enhancement project. The bridge is a 90-foot-long metal pin-connected Pratt through truss. It was built by the Clinton Bridge and Iron Company of Clinton, Iowa, and is the only known bridge built by this company remaining in Texas. Since being relocated to the Battleground Golf Course, the bridge has been used for golf cart traffic on the Course; however, the decking and support structure of the bridge have been replaced and the iron truss elements have deteriorated over time. In 2012, a contract in the amount of $$229,635 was by the City which transferred the loads from the existing truss members to the new structural support system and provided a safe path across the new deck and curb system and a new stainless steel pedestrian rail.
A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed by the Federal Highway Administration, the Texas State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) and TxDOT in late 1994, indicates that these three parties agreed to the relocation of the bridge to the Battleground Golf Course According to the MOA, at the time of the bridge relocation, the City of Deer Park was to sign a preservation and maintenance agreement subject to review and comment by the SHPO. H...
Click here for full text