Driving on old First St. Bridge, Barstow CA on 7/6/24. This bridge will be out of service 7/10/24.

[@georgewhitehead8185]

I lived in Barstow beginning in 1954, and remember this old bridge very well. Many times I was able to walk out on it, and then look at the trains below. Fond memories. Dr. George Whitehead

[@elwoodblues9613]

That sure looks like the old US 66! This is a piece of history, and shouldn't be torn down, even if it's unsuitable for today's traffic and shouldn't be driven on anymore. California doesn't have much Route 66 history, this needs to be preserved.

[@jonusle2937]

@elwoodblues9613 this bridge was never part of Route 66. North 1st Street starts at Main Street, which is Route 66 in Barstow. This bridge has been falling apart for years and it has become a public safety issue. Perhaps some pieces of the original bridge will make it to one of the local museums. There are sections of Route 66 east of Amboy in dire need of bridge repairs. Maybe one of the truss bridge sections could help shore up that road.

[@thomasdeturk5142]

This is the same highway bridge I saw In the Pentrex Train Video Series in Ultimate Subdivision over Cajon Pass.

[@earlc8440]

The Del Taco is the 1st of the chain and the Video ends in the parking lot of the Harvey House. The nixt bridge is over the Mojave river. I loved live in Barstow back in the 1950s through 1975

[@davidoneil6869]

For the OLD bridge to be used FOR ANY REASON that would have people on it, it would need to be brought up to TODAYS standards by being totally rebuilt at a cost of 10 to 20 MILLION or more.

[@ddebenedictis]

Is this to accommodate the Brightline project?

[@jonusle2937]

@ddebenedictis no, this is an old bridge that is falling apart being replaced by a new concrete bridge.

[@ddebenedictis]

@@jonusle2937 good, thanks for the info

[@earlc8440]

It's my understanding that the freeway meadem will be used for high speed rail

[@jonusle2937]

@earlc8440 that's correct, this guy's video is a great description of the future train kzbin.info/www/bejne/nompkJqVltZrrMUsi=2HLhnXdd-nwZ-cGj

[@boatbound3300]

Its been in bad shape the last 10 or 15 yrs

[@jeffbutler6100]

I would think they might have left the old bridge in place for walkers and bike owners

[@jonusle2937]

@@jeffbutler6100 the new bridge will have a pedestrian walkway and observation point.

[@pulaski1]

The old bridge would still require inspections and maintenance, and eventually be in danger of collapsing under its own weight. It is clearly in a poor state of repair, so early demolition has to be the preferred decision.