Nowadays, most of us don’t give too much thought to bridges unless we’re crossing a particularly high one. But these structures were key to civilization – without them, long distance travel wouldn’t have been easy or perhaps even possible. Bridge design, which initially involved using wooden logs to span short distances, has continued to evolve until these structures became true architectural marvels. Here are 8 old bridges in New Mexico that showcase changing engineering techniques. Plus, they’re pretty cool to look at!
- Bridge in the Pecos Wilderness
Flickr/Images By Lane The grass growing at either end of this bridge near Terrero suggests its days of use are probably over. It spans the Pecos River.
- Mexican Canyon Bridge, Cloudcroft
Flickr/Don Barrett This trestle railway bridge in Mexican Canyon is all that remains of the Alamagordo-Sacramento Mountain Railway (once part of the El Paso and Northeastern Railroad). The company built this line to gain access to timber in the Lincoln National Forest, which was needed to continue expanding the country’s network of railways.
Flickr/J.J. This photo provides a different perspective of the same bridge.
The train cars that traveled along it transported both freight and passengers.
- Derelict bridge in the Jarilla Mountains
Flickr/Cherie Benoit New Mexico’s railroad history means that there are many disused bridges crumbling into disrepair across the state.
- Bridge near Mogollon
Flickr/Don Barrett This metal bridge is located off US-180. It has a truss design, which means that its supports are formed from triangular sections of beam.
- A Route 66 bridge, near Endee
Flickr/Stu Rapley This portion of Route 66 was in use until 1952. During those years, four beam bridges, like this one, were used to allow the road to sit above the surrounding flood plains.
- Glen Woody Bridge, near Taos
Flickr/Shawn Clover Whether depicted in color or in black and white, this suspension bridge looks really unsafe.
Flickr/Dave Bezaire The Glen Woody Bridge was constructed in 1902 in order to access a mining camp.
- Percha Creek Bridge, near Hillsboro
Wikimedia Commons/AllenS This bridge, built in 1927, is on the National Register of Historic Places. Vehicular traffic now crosses the newer bridge, constructed right next to it.
- Bridge crossing Forgotten Gorge
Flickr/Jared Tarbell The bridge appears as neglected as the gorge it spans.
Do you have a soft spot for abandoned structures?
Flickr/Images By Lane
The grass growing at either end of this bridge near Terrero suggests its days of use are probably over. It spans the Pecos River.
Flickr/Don Barrett
This trestle railway bridge in Mexican Canyon is all that remains of the Alamagordo-Sacramento Mountain Railway (once part of the El Paso and Northeastern Railroad). The company built this line to gain access to timber in the Lincoln National Forest, which was needed to continue expanding the country’s network of railways.
Flickr/J.J.
This photo provides a different perspective of the same bridge.
The train cars that traveled along it transported both freight and passengers.
Flickr/Cherie Benoit
New Mexico’s railroad history means that there are many disused bridges crumbling into disrepair across the state.
This metal bridge is located off US-180. It has a truss design, which means that its supports are formed from triangular sections of beam.
Flickr/Stu Rapley
This portion of Route 66 was in use until 1952. During those years, four beam bridges, like this one, were used to allow the road to sit above the surrounding flood plains.
Flickr/Shawn Clover
Whether depicted in color or in black and white, this suspension bridge looks really unsafe.
Flickr/Dave Bezaire
The Glen Woody Bridge was constructed in 1902 in order to access a mining camp.
Wikimedia Commons/AllenS
This bridge, built in 1927, is on the National Register of Historic Places. Vehicular traffic now crosses the newer bridge, constructed right next to it.
Flickr/Jared Tarbell
The bridge appears as neglected as the gorge it spans.
Of course, New Mexico has plenty of bridges that are still in use. The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, in particular, deserves a spot on everyone’s bucket list. But, the next time you spy an old crumbling bridge from your car window, pull over for a moment to admire the incredible progression of these structures throughout time, and to think about all the feats they’ve made possible.
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