R. H. "Bob" Wharton Bridge: Difference between revisions
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The '''R. H. "Bob" Wharton Bridge''' is an arched, sandstone bridge constructed in [[1942]], creating an early cloverleaf intersection between [[U. S. Highway 31]] and [[Lakeshore Drive]] in [[Homewood]]. | The '''R. H. "Bob" Wharton Bridge''' is an arched, sandstone bridge constructed in [[1942]], creating an early cloverleaf intersection between [[U.S. Highway 31]] and [[Lakeshore Drive]] in [[Homewood]]. | ||
The bridge was one of numerous Federally-funded improvements made to [[Montgomery Highway]] when it was designated as U. S. Route 31 in the early 1940s. The bridge over [[Shades Creek]] and [[Shades Creek Parkway]] was also funded by $5,000 from the city of Homewood and $4,500 from [[Jefferson County]]. In [[1945]] the city proposed to name the bridge for [[Robert H. Wharton]], a former president of the [[Jefferson County Commission]]. A marble marker with the name of the bridge was placed on the southern embankment, flanked by dogwood trees planted by the [[Edgewood Garden Club]]. | The bridge was one of numerous Federally-funded improvements made to [[Montgomery Highway]] when it was designated as U. S. Route 31 in the early 1940s. The bridge over [[Shades Creek]] and [[Shades Creek Parkway]] was also funded by $5,000 from the city of Homewood and $4,500 from [[Jefferson County]]. In [[1945]] the city proposed to name the bridge for [[Robert H. Wharton]], a former president of the [[Jefferson County Commission]]. A marble marker with the name of the bridge was placed on the southern embankment, flanked by dogwood trees planted by the [[Edgewood Garden Club]]. | ||
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* MacDonald, Ginny (April 11, 2007) "State ponders replacement of bridge over Lakeshore." ''Birmingham News''. | * MacDonald, Ginny (April 11, 2007) "State ponders replacement of bridge over Lakeshore." ''Birmingham News''. | ||
[[Category:U.S. Highway 31 | {{DEFAULTSORT:Wharton Bridge}} | ||
[[Category:Lakeshore Drive | [[Category:U.S. Highway 31]] | ||
[[Category:Bridges | [[Category:Independence Drive]] | ||
[[Category:1942 buildings | [[Category:Lakeshore Drive]] | ||
[[Category:Bridges]] | |||
[[Category:1942 buildings]] | |||
Revision as of 00:18, 26 March 2008
The R. H. "Bob" Wharton Bridge is an arched, sandstone bridge constructed in 1942, creating an early cloverleaf intersection between U.S. Highway 31 and Lakeshore Drive in Homewood.
The bridge was one of numerous Federally-funded improvements made to Montgomery Highway when it was designated as U. S. Route 31 in the early 1940s. The bridge over Shades Creek and Shades Creek Parkway was also funded by $5,000 from the city of Homewood and $4,500 from Jefferson County. In 1945 the city proposed to name the bridge for Robert H. Wharton, a former president of the Jefferson County Commission. A marble marker with the name of the bridge was placed on the southern embankment, flanked by dogwood trees planted by the Edgewood Garden Club.
Although the bridge is structurally sound, the Alabama Department of Transportation is planning to replace it in order to accommodate a wider roadway. According to a spokesperson, the department is aware of the aesthetic and historical value of the existing bridge and expects to take those factors into account when planning its replacement.
References
- Summe, Sheryl Spradling (2001) Homewood: The Life of a City. Homewood: Friends of the Homewood Public Library.
- MacDonald, Ginny (April 11, 2007) "State ponders replacement of bridge over Lakeshore." Birmingham News.