The TX82 swing bridge is located on the border between Texas and Louisiana at the mouth of the Sabine River (Sabine Lake). The operator's shelter is the best condition of all the swing bridges. It is equipped with an emergency generator. The swing bridge was damaged from Hurricane Rita. It was repaired, but TxDOT has decided to replace the bridge. When replaced a piece of history will be lost. This photo was taken prior to Hurricane Rita. Notice that the gate arms are still attached.

	Video #1 Taken 04-Apr-07 by Ron Jackson This video captures the opening of the bridge. The video was taken from the northeast corner of the platform for the operator's shelter.
	Video #2 Taken 04-Apr-07 by Ron Jackson This video of the bridge opening was shot from the center of the west side roadway. You can see a boat go through the open bridge.
	Video #3 Taken 04-Apr-07 by Ron Jackson This video of the bridge closing was shot after the Video #1 sequence..
	Video #4 Taken 04-Apr-07 by Ron Jackson Here we have a close up of the bridge closing. You can really see how close the tolerance is between the bridge and the roadway.
Page Size Raw Image	Photo #1 Taken 02-Nov-04 by Ron Jackson This is a composite view created by stitching together a series of long range photos.
Page Size Raw Image	Photo #2 Taken 04-Apr-07 by Ron Jackson The dedication plaque is in excellent condition. That is because it is being kept in the operator's shelter. It reads... 1957 - 1958 SABINE LAKE CAUSEWAY A JOINT PROJECT OF JEFFERSON COUNTY TEXAS & CAMERON PARISH LOUISIANA COMMISSIONERS COURT COUNTY JUDGE JAMES A. KIRKLAND COMMISSIONERS DICK SHURLOCK PRECINCT 1 T.B. ELLISON PRECINCT 2 LAMAR LAWSON PRECINCT 3 TED R. WALKER PRECINCT 4 COUNTY CLERK FRED G. HILL COUNTY AUDITOR E.S. FOREMAN COUNTY ENGINEER WILTIE O. BOWER ATTORNEY FRANK M. ADAMS POLICE JURY PRESIDENT ERASTE HEBERT SECRETARY JOSEPH W. DOXEY MEMBERS HORACE B. MHIRE WARD 1 VIAN THERIOT WARD 2 CONWAY LEBLEU WARD 3 ERASTE HEBERT WARD 4 ARCHIE BERWICK WARD 5 BERNARD DUHON WARD 6 TREASURER PERCY M. RICHARDS ATTORNEY J.B. JONES, JR. ENGINEERS J.B.CONVERSE & CO. INC. AND M.D. GATES CONTRACTOR LOUISIANA PAVING CO. INC.
Page Size Raw Image	Photo #3 Taken 02-Nov-04 by Ron Jackson The approach from the Texas side.
Page Size Raw Image	Photo #4 Taken 07-Feb-06 by Ron Jackson A look southwest from the Louisiana side.
Page Size Raw Image	Photo #5 Taken 02-Nov-04 by Ron Jackson Looking from a boat ramp on the west bank.
Page Size Raw Image	Photo #6 Taken 07-Feb-06 by Ron Jackson Looking west from the eastern gates to Texas.
Page Size Raw Image	Photo #7 Taken 07-Feb-06 by Ron Jackson The west gate mechanism. The arm was destroyed by Hurricane Rita. As of April 28, 2007 it has been replaced.
Page Size Raw Image	Photo #8 Taken 07-Feb-06 by Ron Jackson Looking at the west seam from the south side across the road surface. The curve in the joint can clearly be seen. Notice the very narrow clearance for the bridge to swing.
Page Size Raw Image	Photo #9 Taken 07-Feb-06 by Ron Jackson A side view of the west seam, looking south.
Page Size Raw Image	Photo #10 Taken 07-Feb-06 by Ron Jackson The pivot column and mechanism.
Page Size Raw Image	Photo #11 Taken 07-Feb-06 by Ron Jackson Standing on the north shoulder looking east.
Page Size Raw Image	Photo #12 Taken 07-Feb-06 by Ron Jackson Standing on the south shoulder looking east..
Page Size Raw Image	Photo #13 Taken 07-Feb-06 by Ron Jackson Standing on the platform for the operator's shelter looking east.
Page Size Raw Image	Photo #14 Taken 04-Apr-07 by Ron Jackson Here is the operator's control panel. The gauge at the top is for wind direction and speed.
Page Size Raw Image	Photo #15 Taken 04-Apr-07 by Ron Jackson A closer look at the grating.
Page Size Raw Image	Photo #16 Taken 04-Apr-07 by Ron Jackson This ladder cage is for accessing the drive equipment which turns the bridge.
Page Size Raw Image	Photo #17 Taken 04-Apr-07 by Ron Jackson This "pin"is used to turn the bridge manually in case of power failure or some other condition which would prevent the drive system from turning the bridge. To open (or close) the bridge manually takes roughly an hour per direction.   Notice how the grating in this section of the bridge has been filled with concrete. This is done to provide some rain protection to the drive system below.
Page Size Raw Image	Photo #18 Taken 04-Apr-07 by Ron Jackson This is the motor control center which provides power to all of the electrical equipment associated with the bridge.
Page Size Raw Image	Photo #19 Taken 04-Apr-07 by Ron Jackson Standing on the north shoulder looking west into Texas.
Page Size Raw Image	Photo #20 Taken 04-Apr-07 by Ron Jackson Looking at the swing bridge while open we can see that the pivot column is not centered under this bridge, but offset to allow for a wider channel for boat traffic.
Page Size Raw Image	Photo #21 Taken 04-Apr-07 by Ron Jackson A wider view of the operator's area. You can see the swing bridge through the windows.
Page Size Raw Image	Photo #22 Taken 04-Apr-07 by Ron Jackson Looking towards Louisiana.
Page Size Raw Image	Photo #23 Taken 04-Apr-07 by Ron Jackson A "wedge" is a device which holds the bridge in place and keeps the end(s) from moving while vehicle traffic goes over the bridge. Each end of this bridge has two wedges.   This photo shows the upper section of the mechanism which insert or retract the wedges. The wedge has been retracted for this photo.
Page Size Raw Image	Photo #24 Taken 04-Apr-07 by Ron Jackson Here we see the lower section of the wedge mechanism. This section has the actual "wedge".
Page Size Raw Image	Photo #25 Taken 04-Apr-07 by Ron Jackson A driver's view approaching the gates going to Louisiana.