Marqués De La Serna Bridge
The bridge dates to 1869 and it was named after the Marquis of Serna, Felix Maria de Messina, who was governor of Puerto Rico from 1862 to 1865. It is the first metal bridge to have been built in the island, and the only metal arch bridge that exists in Puerto Rico. The iron elements were brought from France. The bridge was assembled by Isidoro Abarca, founder of Abarca Foundry, over the rubble masonry abutments of an older wooden bridge as part at the Cataño-Bayamón highway, one of the first in Puerto Rico and an important link between the San Juan Bay and the southward and westward agricultural lands. Between 1881 and the early 1900s the bridge also served the Línea Ferrea del Oeste railroad. For that purpose, two of the arches were reinforced in 1881. This valuable relic is the only bridge of its type in Puerto Rico and within the jurisdiction of the United States. It is well conserved and considered an excellent example of how to preserve historical bridges no longer in vehicular use for full recreational and educational value.
References
- ^ United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. "NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES REGISTRATION FORM".
- ^ Ruiz, por Héctor. "Puente Marques de la Serna - Bayamón". Retrieved 2022-07-15.
- ^ National Park Service, NPGallery Digital Asset Management System. "Marques de la Serna Bridge".
- ^ GOBIERNO DE PUERTO RICO, JUNTA DE PLANIFICACIÓN DE PUERTO RICO (December 7, 2022). "REGISTRO DE PROPIEDADES DESIGNADAS POR LA JUNTA DE PLANIFICACIÓN DE PUERTO RICO" (PDF). jp.pr.gov.
- ^ "Puente Marqués de Serna". Bridgehunter.com. Retrieved 2022-07-15.