Swinging on Regency Suspension Bridge in San Saba, Texas.
The next time you drive through San Saba, Texas, detour to Regency Suspension Bridge. You can drive through it or feel the swing when you walk on the bridge as a car passes. Of course, if you don’t feel nervous about it or afraid of heights.
Regency Suspension Bridge in San Saba is the last suspension bridge in Texas open to automobile traffic. It crosses the Colorado River, connecting San Saba County and Mills County.
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It is the suspension bridge that appeared in the opening footage of the Texas Country Reporter.
Driving on Regency Suspension Bridge
After driving through San Saba many times to Fredericksburg from Fort Worth, we finally stopped there on one Thanksgiving holiday. We drove from San Saba on our way home to Fort Worth.
From the asphalt ranch road, we turned to gravel San Saba County Road before we arrived at the bridge. The bridge had a wood surface that made us stop before crossing.
We had our teardrop trailer at the back and wondered whether we had to park the trailer before we crossed the bridge. My husband said our vehicles were below the weight limit. But I was still unsure about driving on those wooden surfaces, even until we crossed the bridge and back again. Haha.
The Regency Bridge is narrow. It is a one-lane suspension bridge, and 90 percent of it was built by hand labor. You must see traffic from the opposite direction before crossing over to the other side.
I saw nobody else there. It looked like the bridge was waiting for us.
So we crossed the bridge slowly. Sure enough, we could hear the cracking sound from the wooden deck and felt the swing slightly. The Colorado River looked calm, uninterrupted, 75 feet below. My legs felt shaky, and I didn’t open the window to take pictures. Too scary to put my hands out of the window. Haha.
I felt relieved when we arrived on the other side of the river. To lessen the tension, we drove around a little bit. There’s a campground that looked great for summer camping. I imagined the area was dark enough for the Milky Way.
“Are you ready?” asked my husband when it was about time to cross the suspension bridge over the Colorado River.
My husband still drove slowly and carefully. I didn’t even think about walking on the bridge when he crossed with the car. I wasn’t comfortable doing it.
Back in San Saba County, we parked the car so I could take pictures. I even walked to the bridge with a little shaky on my legs.
There were information signs about the bridge’s history and the weight limit before the bridge.
Where is the Regency Suspension Bridge in Texas?
The Regency Suspension Bridge location is near the extinct town of Regency, about 18 miles from San Saba. It is at the intersection of Mills County Road 433 and San Saba County Road 137.
From San Saba, drive towards Goldthwaite on TX-16 N. About 2 miles later, turn left onto Ranch Road 500. Continue driving for about 15.3 miles on RR 500. Then, turn right onto County Road 137 for about 0.8 miles to the bridge on the gravel road. Your driving time will be around 25 minutes.
If you come from Goldthwaite, go on TX-16 S towards San Saba. Drive for about 19.6 miles before turning right onto Ranch Road 500. Then, follow the directions above. You will drive around 36 miles or about 38 minutes.
Here is the slightest way from Goldthwaite. Go west on FM 574 W for 17.6 miles. Then, turn left onto County Road 433 for about 4.6 miles towards the bridge. You will drive for 23.2 miles, with a driving time of around 32 minutes.
When was the Regency Bridge built?
The locals built the bridge in 1939 after the original collapsed in 1924, and the flood destroyed its replacement in 1936. (source: the historical marker.)
Over the years, the bridge had fallen into disrepair. The federal government invested some funds, and TxDOT started the restoration in 1997. In the spring of 1999, the then-governor George Bush rededicated the suspension bridge to the people of Regency.
In December 2003, some kids lit a fire on the wood decking, causing a burning hole in some planks.
Can you drive across Regency Bridge in Texas?
As of today, it’s still open for automobile traffic.
What is the weight limit on Regency Bridge?
Based on the street sign before the bridge, it is gross 8000 lbs and axle or tandem 5000 lbs.
We were hauling our teardrop trailer behind our Toyota Sienna. I wasn’t sure we could make it, but my husband said we were safe. And we made it!
How long is the Regency Bridge?
The Regency Bridge, locally known as the Swinging Bridge, spans 343 feet (104.55 meters) long across the Colorado River. The wooden deck is 16 feet (4.88 meters) wide.
Why did the suspension bridge collapse?
The original bridge was built between Mills and San Saba counties to serve area ranchers and farmers. On May 9, 1924, the bridge collapsed when a local rancher and his two sons took a herd of cattle across the bridge. One of the sons and several heads of livestock were killed in the tragedy.
Is driving on the Regency Suspension Bridge worth it?
If you travel around Texas, driving on the Regency Suspension Bridge is a must-do while exploring the west-central part of Texas. After all, it’s one of the only suspension bridges in Texas for vehicular traffic. But only if you are not afraid of heights. And, you take your own risk.
Regency Suspension Bridge address: 987 County Road 1137, Richland Springs, TX 76871.
Check out these articles about the places near San Saba, Texas:
– Hiking to Gorman Falls with a Dog
– 7 cool things to do in Llano, Texas – for a quick stop
– Best things to do in Lampasas, TX
– There’s a devil’s hole at Inks Lake State Park
– Longhorn Cavern State Park: walking on the underground river
– Visiting Hanna Springs Sculpture Gardens in Lampasas, Texas
– 7 first things to do in Fredericksburg, TX with your family
– Spring Break in the Texas Hill Country
– Thanksgiving in the Texas Hill Country
– Best road trips in the Texas Hill Country itinerary
– 13 reasons to visit Fredericksburg, TX at Christmas
I grew up not too far from there. It was our beer drinking spot, parking spot, etc- now illegal despite having that reputation for a century. We would drive across and slam our brakes mid way and make a wave across the bridge. That was exciting. And no it was not in disrepair. It was fine. The main cables were just anchored in the dirt. I even got my leaf springs caught on one once. They build those caissons to hold them. But otherwise the bridge was fine. I had a room mate on the committee when they re did it. He wanted to paint it clear to keep the rusty appeal but some city folks wanted that ugly ass gray.
Wow! You spent great times on that bridge, doing things that one of my brothers would do, too! Haha.. My legs are wobbly now, imagining myself on the bridge when you and your friends made a wave across the bridge. Thank you for sharing your priceless memories with me!
As a Civil Engineer I am always fascinated with bridges so I would definitely check out the Regency Suspension Bridge in San Saba if we were in the area. I would probably both drive it and walk it for the different experiences. Always fun to deal with one way bridges when driving! And I can understand why the local name is “Swinging Bridge”.
Great article! The Regency Suspension Bridge looks like such a hidden gem in Texas. I love discovering unique, off-the-beaten-path spots like this. The historical background you shared makes it even more interesting. I’ll definitely add it to my list for my next trip to Texas—thanks for the great recommendation!