Before the Old Iron Bridge closed to foot traffic in 2018, Bastrop residents attached locks to its chain-link fence as symbols of love. (Community Impact staff)
Love locks once left by locals and visitors on Bastrop’s Old Iron Bridge will get a new home in a sculpture planned beside the historic bridge.
At a glance
Bastrop City Council on Oct. 13 approved the proposed location for the BTX Love Locks sculpture as part of its consent agenda, allowing staff to move forward with the required Texas Department of Transportation approval process.
Plans were submitted to council by Discover Bastrop Director Michaela Joyce, who told Community Impact that the sculpture will be located on the west side of the Colorado River, although its exact placement remains subject to TxDOT approval.
Residents and visitors will be allowed to add new locks to the sculpture, rather than directly to the historic bridge, once complete.
Fabrication and installation will be funded through the city’s 2025 Quality of Life bond funds.
Visitors will be able to leave new locks on the sculpture once completed.Rendering courtesy city of Bastrop
What's next?
The BTX Love Locks sculpture will be unveiled as part of the Old Iron Bridge ribbon-cutting ceremony Dec. 4, Joyce said.
Construction crews began work on the Old Iron Bridge project in mid-2025 to bring the local landmark back to life. Community Impact staff
The big picture
The sculpture is planned as the city continues rehabilitation work on the Old Iron Bridge.
As previously reported, the project’s anticipated construction completion date was pushed from Sept. 11 to Oct. 30 after council approved a $300,000 change order in June to add color-changing lights to the bridge.
