Road accross bridge widely considered one of the most scenic urban drives in Texas, in large part due to this arched weathering-steel bridge and the rolling hills that flank the road
General Information
Head south on Congress Ave toward E 5th St
Get on TX-1 Loop N. Follow TX-1 Loop N to Northland Dr. Take the RM 2222/Northland Dr exit from TX-1 Loop N. Get on TX-360 Loop S from Ranch to Market 2222 W. Merge onto TX-360 Loop S.
The Percy V. Pennybacker Jr. Bridge in Austin, Texas, is a through-arch bridge across Lake Austin which connects the northern and southern sections of the Loop 360 highway, also known as the "Capital of Texas Highway." The road is widely considered one of the most scenic urban drives in Texas, in large part due to this arched weathering-steel bridge and the rolling hills that flank the road.
There is parking along the eastern side of the bridge where there is a short path to an overlook with spectaular views of the bridge and lake.
More commonly known as the "360 Bridge," the contract for the bridge was let in late 1979 and major structural steelwork was finished by July 1982. The bridge was dedicated officially November 29, 1982 by Austin mayor Carole McClellan and other public officials and opened for traffic December 3, 1982.
The bridge is named for Percy V. Pennybacker Jr., who designed bridges for the Texas Highway Department and was a pioneer in the technology of welded structures.
During the 1970s, South Congress became a mecca for artists, musicians and their supporters. The legendary Armadillo World Headquarters opened at the corner of South Congress and Barton Springs Boulevard in 1970. Tourist traffic declined on South Congress with the rise of I-35 and many businesses fell into disrepair.
By the late 1980s, small eclectic retailers began popping up along the South Congress Corridor, attracted by cheap rent. The area's renaissance began at the intersection of South Congress and Monroe by putting their historic buildings to good use to attract eclectic retail business, arts and music venues and restaurants to the area. South Austin's first skyscrapers appeared at South Congress and Riverside Drive when two new hotels opened. 1988 was a watershed moment for the area, as Kent Cole and Diana Prechter fixed a beat-up wood-frame building that had operated as Flossie's bar and the Austex Lounge, and reopened it as Magnolia Cafe South. Said they were attracted by the "colorful people" and cheap rent.
Austin, a relatively small city for most of its history, suddenly enjoyed a tremendous economic boom that attracted new residents and drove an increased demand for older housing stock in the Travis Heights and Bouldin Creek neighborhoods. That in turn spurred massive renovation along South Congress and throughout old South Austin. The 1990s witnessed the redevelopment of the Austin Theatre, the H-E-B at Oltorf and South Congress and more. By the end of the decade, South Congress was well on its way to becoming a nationally known shopping and cultural district.
The shopping district contains numerous shops, restaurants, and music venues. There is a square featuring a number of food trucks serving tacos, falafel, cupcakes, and more. Notable retailers on South Congress include Allens Boots (1977), Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds (1984), Uncommon Objects (1992-2017) and Friends of Sound (1996-2016). Restaurants in the area include Guero's Taco Bar (1995), where Texas Radio Live is broadcast on Sun Radio every Wednesday evening, Home Slice Pizza (2005), South Congress Cafe (2003) and Hey Cupcake (2007). First Thursday is a community event held each month where business stay open to 10 p.m. or later to celebrate the neighborhood's boutiques, restaurants and galleries. The event is held on the first Thursday of every month between Barton Springs Road and Elizabeth Street.
This article uses material from the Wikipedia article "Pennybacker Bridge", which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0
