When a Bridge Becomes a City’s Icon


— The Pennybacker Bridge, known in Austin as the Loop 360 Bridge or just the 360 Bridge, connects the north and south ends of Loop 360 (aka Capital of Texas Highway). It has been photographed many times from the top of the hills on both sides of the bridge. However, for a different perspective, it is always worth going under the bridge to have the views you see here. One interesting thing about the bridge is that the Cliff Swallows build their mud nests under the bridge. You can see their nests in the photo below running along the highway beams.


Its cable-suspension design was planned with boaters in mind. The Colorado River runs under the bridge, and boating is safe in this area since there are no support pillars in the water. The bridge is named after Percy V. Pennybacker Jr. He worked at the Texas Highway Department and was a champion for using welded structures in bridge construction, as seen in this bridge. Construction began in late 1979, and it took three years to finish it. The steel used in the bridge came from Japan, while the structures were fabricated in South Korea. A firm from Virginia did the final assembly. The rusty-colored steel was used to blend in with the Hill Country‘s natural colors.

Today, the Pennybacker Bridge is one of Austin‘s iconic images. Here is the view widely photographed.

The Pennybacker Bridge over the Colorado River
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18 Responses

  1. Brad
    | Reply

    Great photos and background on this bridge Egidio. I remember it from my trip to Austin and like the first photo and perspective the best.

    • Egídio Leitão
      | Reply

      Thanks for the feedback, Brad. You have seen some of the best sites in Austin.

  2. solaner
    | Reply

    Our state capitol is located at the stream Rhine. As quarters are located on both sides, a few bridges are crossing the river. To make them an icon, all of them follow the same construction principle and make them look more or less identical.

  3. Tra Italia e Finlandia
    | Reply

    Molto bello e slanciato. Buona giornata Egidio!

  4. boromax
    | Reply

    Which bridge is it that houses the bats? 🙂 I remember the Pennybacker bridge from when we lived in Cedar Park – I think there was a shopping center or a church (or both?) we used to go to occasionally on that side of town. ~Ed.

    • Egídio Leitão
      | Reply

      Ed, that is the Congress Bridge in downtown Austin. There is a church not too far from the Pennybacker bridge. The mall you’re thinking is likely Barton Creek Mall, a few miles south from the bridge.

  5. Rebecca Cuningham
    | Reply

    Que saudade… Austin!

  6. Cee Neuner
    | Reply

    Oh what a wonderful bridge to photograph. Thanks so much for joining in the fun 😀

    • Egídio Leitão
      | Reply

      You’re very welcome, Cee. Thanks for the feedback.

  7. margaret21
    | Reply

    Well, it might be an icon to some, but I’d never heard of it. So thanks for this. It makes quite a statement.

    • Egídio Leitão
      | Reply

      Not a worldwide icon, I should emphasize. It’s an icon for the city and a landmark recognized as part of the Austin skyline. Thank you.

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