The love locks are coming back to the Old Iron Bridge area. Bastrop is building a new BTX Love Locks sculpture to hold the locks taken off the bridge during its rehabilitation, and it is set to be unveiled at the bridge’s ribbon-cutting ceremony on Dec. 4, 2026, Community Impact reported.
What are the Old Iron Bridge love locks?
Before the bridge closed to foot traffic in 2018, people clipped padlocks to its chain-link fence as a symbol of love. Over the years it became one of downtown’s small traditions. Rehabilitation work began in mid-2025, and the locks were removed from the bridge as part of it.
What will the new sculpture look like?
The BTX Love Locks sculpture is a 3D-modeled design of the letters “BTX” on a platform, with a mesh grid texture. It will hold the original locks, and residents and visitors will be able to add new ones there instead of on the bridge.
City Council approved the sculpture’s site on Oct. 13, and city staff can now start the required TxDOT approval process. Fabrication and installation are paid for with the city’s 2025 Quality of Life bond funds.
What is the history of the Old Iron Bridge?
The steel truss bridge over the Colorado River was completed in 1923 and opened in January 1924. It is about 1,285 feet long and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. It is one of the earliest surviving uses of the Parker truss design in Texas.
The rehabilitation adds a concrete deck, new steel truss pieces, railings and decorative lights so the bridge can be used for walking again. In June 2026, council approved a $300,000 change order for color-changing lights, which moved the construction completion date to Oct. 30.
When can I see it?
Mark Dec. 4 for the ribbon cutting. Confirm the time and details with the City of Bastrop as the date gets closer. A walk across the bridge, dinner downtown and a stop at the love locks should make a pretty good Bastrop evening.
Planning that evening? Our Where to Eat guide and Things to Do guide have ideas for downtown and the riverfront.
Frequently asked questions
- When does the Old Iron Bridge in Bastrop reopen?
- The city plans a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Old Iron Bridge on Dec. 4, 2026. Construction completion had been moved to Oct. 30 after lights were added.
- What happened to the love locks on the Old Iron Bridge?
- Locks removed during the bridge rehabilitation will go on a new BTX Love Locks sculpture, where visitors can also add new locks.
- How old is the Old Iron Bridge in Bastrop?
- The steel truss bridge over the Colorado River was completed in 1923 and opened in January 1924.
- Can you add a love lock in Bastrop?
- Yes, once the sculpture is installed. The BTX Love Locks sculpture is designed so residents and visitors can add new locks there instead of on the bridge.
Sources
- Community Impact: Old Iron Bridge love locks to return in new sculpture
- Community Impact: Data centers and downtown, what's trending in Bastrop
- Community Impact: Bastrop's Old Iron Bridge project progresses
- Wikipedia: Old Iron Bridge (Bastrop, Texas)
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