Comment: Submitted to AFC, as I am allowed to do, while an edit restriction prevents me from creating this in mainspace.--doncram
General Norzagaray Bridge | |
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Nearest city | San Juan, Puerto Rico |
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Area | less than one acre |
Built | 1855, 1927 |
Architect | Manuel Sanchez-Nunez y Layne |
Engineer | Gustavo Steinacher |
Architectural style | brick barrel vault |
MPS | Historic Bridges of Puerto Rico MPS |
NRHP reference No. | 95000833[1] |
Added to NRHP | July 19, 1995 |
The General Norzagaray Bridge is a brick and masonry barrel vault bridge built in 1855 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Also known as Puente_de_los_Frailes, it brings what is now PR-873 across Frailes Creek in between the Monacillos and neighborhood. It has eight 9.8 metres (32 ft)* barrel vault spans. Its total length is 120.7 metres (396 ft) amd its roadway width is 7.00 metres (22.97 ft).[2]
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7e/View_of_bridge_roadway_looking_S_showing_location_of_bridge_plaque._-_Puente_de_los_Frailes%2C_Spanning_Frailes_Creek%2C_PR_Route_873%2C_KM_18.85%2C_Chalet_de_la_Colina%2C_San_Juan_Municipio_HAER_PR%2C7-SAJU%2C40-8.tif/lossy-page1-220px-thumbnail.tif.jpg)
In 1855, it was important for carrying the Carretara Central across Quebrada Frailes.[2]
It is named for Fernándo de Norzagaray y Escudero, governor of Puerto Rico from 1852 to 1855.[2]
It was designed by Chief Engineer Manuel Sanchez-Nunez y Layne and built by engineer Gustavo Steinacher (who also designed and built the first suspension bridge in the Caribbean, over the Caguitas River just north of Caguas, Puerto Rico[3]: 7, 9 ) and cost 45,346 pesos.[2]
According to its NRHP registration, it "is one of the most impressive bridges from the Spanish Colonial period", serving as a "prime example of Spanish 19th century masonry arch technology".[2] It is the only such example in the United States.[2]
The superstructure of the bridge was modified in 1927 by removal of earth fill and addition of steel girders installed on the arch piers to support a concrete deck. This does not interfere significantly with the historic integrity of the bridge.[2]
It spans between what are now the Caimito and Tortugo barrios of San Juan.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995.[1]
References
- ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f g Luis Pumarada O'Neill (July 31, 1994). "National Register of Historic Places Registration: General Norzagaray Bridge". National Park Service. Retrieved 2016-05-27. with photos from 1989 & 1993
- ^ Luis F. Pumarada O'Neill (July 31, 1994). "Historic Bridges of Puerto Rico, c. 1840 - 1950". National Park Service. Retrieved 2016-05-13.
Category:Bridges on the National Register of Historic Places in Puerto Rico Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1855