County holds emergency meeting regarding bridge closure

The US 180 bridge, also known as “Mile Long Bridge,” crossing Hubbard Creek Lake will be closed to all traffic for several weeks, following an emergency inspection by the Texas Department of Transportation.

TxDOT deemed the bridge unsafe for travel late Friday afternoon.  

Stephens County Sheriff Kevin Roach confirmed the bridge’s closure during an emergency meeting of the Stephens County Commissioners Court this evening. Stephens County Judge Michael Roach cautioned for community members to have patience in regards to the bridge repair.

"We don't have a timeline. I know on the TxDOT website it says something about the project is estimated to be completed Jan. 5," Judge Road said. "I don't know that that is accurate at all. ...we're talking about months, not days. I think we should assume that until we hear something different from them."

County commissioners and other local leaders met Friday night at the Stephens County Courthouse to coordinate and ensure emergency services for Stephens County residents who live west of the bridge.

Sheriff Roach and Breckenridge Fire Department Chief Malcolm Bufkin confirmed that both SCSO and fire units were stationed on the west side of the lake.

Sacred Cross EMS said the bridge closure would create travel issues for EMS service, but there is a mutual aid agreement with Shackelford County that would help.

“We just automatically send a truck and if they can go assist and they can beat us (to the scene), then we’ll come home,” Dustin Wright of Sacred Cross EMS said. “We’ll need to reach out to (Shackelford County) and just work it out. We already have a mutual aid agreement. It’s been there for six years, so we’ll just have to work out a plan and hope for good graces honestly. If they’re not busy because it’s going to take us a while to get there.”

Stephens County Judge Michael Roach said he is working with the Texas Division of Emergency Management on getting additional resources to the area.

“One of the things that we talked to TDEM about is getting a list of resources that we may need tonight,” Judge Roach said. “I’ll reach out to them and see if there’s a way they can bring in some medics and to see if that’s an option and stage them in Albany for a period of time.”

Stephens County is currently working with TxDOT on establishing detours to avoid the bridge. TxDOT has deemed the bridge unsafe for travel for any vehicle, including emergency vehicles.

Currently, TxDOT is advising traffic leaving Breckenridge to travel north on US Hwy. 183 into Woodson then take US Hwy. 283 south into Albany.

Stephens County is working on getting signage for additional routes involving county roads. Another route to Albany is taking FM 576 into Moran and then Hwy. 6 north to Albany.

Judge Roach said during the emergency meeting that there will be maps published soon of county detour options. He advises drivers to not drive west of FM 2231 toward the bridge unless absolutely necessary, as the bridge is closed to all traffic.

Breckenridge ISD, which is currently closed for two weeks for winter break, will work on new bussing routes before school resumes Monday, Jan. 8, 2024.

“The great thing about school right now is we’ve got two weeks to figure it out,” BISD Superintendent Bryan Allen said. “We don’t have to have a plan ready for tomorrow. We’ve got two concerns. We’ve got kids on (the west) side of the bridge which we’ve got buses to and what not. We’ll just have to adjust those routes and schedules to make sure we get those kids (to and from school). We’ve also got a bunch of staff that live on that side of the bridge and that side of the lake. …In my mind, the adults can kind of take care of themselves, adjust their schedules and get to work on time. What we have to do is go evaluate those alternative routes and make sure we can run a bus there and figure out the best way to get the kids to school.”

At 11:47 p.m. Friday night, Stephens County posted two maps on the county Facebook page. These maps were alternative routes of travel going west out of the city of Breckenridge from the route suggested by TxDOT.

The first route, which is the safest of the two alternatives and was similar to the first suggestion made by the county. This route is taking US 183 south to FM 576. When FM 576 meets FM 601 drivers are advised to take FM 601 into Albany. This route is the longer of the two routes, but is paved roadway with a faster speed limit.

The second alternative is shorter, but is not fully paved and has a slower speed limit. Commercial traffic should not take this route. Drivers taking this route are advised to use extra caution due to the amount of livestock on this path. This route includes taking US 183 wsouth to FM 576. From FM 576, drivers will then use FM 292 and FM 294 to reconnected with US 180 east of Albany.

This is an ongoing story. As more information is released, including additional travel routes, the Breckenridge American this story will be updated and additional posts will be made online at www.breckenridgeamerican.com and shared on facebook.com/breckenridgeamerican.