TxDOT, Stephens County hope to reopen "Mile Long Bridge" before Jan. 8

Stephens County and the Texas Department of Transportation announced today, Dec. 27, that both entities hope to have the US 180 bridge that crosses over Hubbard Creek Lake, known locally as “Mile Long Bridge,” open before classes resume for Breckenridge ISD.

In a press release, TxDOT stated that a temporary fix could be used to open the bridge temporarily until a permanent fix could be made on the bridge. BISD classes resume Monday, Jan. 8, 2024.

“TxDOT Brownwood District staff worked through the holiday weekend, alongside public and private sector partners, to address the structural issues currently impacting the US-180 bridge over Hubbard Creek Reservoir. Various options have been examined, and TxDOT will keep the road closed for now, with work beginning within the next 24-48 hours,” the release stated. “We are working to re-open the bridge as safely and expeditiously as possible. Our hope is to have the road passable again by the time area schools begin returning from the holiday break, or closely thereafter. We join local leaders and law enforcement in asking motorists to observe and follow all signage and direction by law-enforcement to help ensure the safety of the traveling public as we work to restore passage through this corridor.”

Roach echoed those goals in a phone call with local media.

“TxDOT worked through Christmas,” Roach said. “But a lot of their contractors weren’t available until today to really finalize a plan. …We feel that the bridge will be open before school starts. They’re going to have contractors on site either tomorrow or the next day and they will do a temporary solution that’s totally safe, but temporary. Then while that is there they will be working on a permanent solution and most likely it will be early next year or maybe in a time frame where school (is) out like spring break where they’ll close it down for a few days and transition from the temporary solution to that permanent solution they’ve been working on.”

Roach said he hopes to have the bridge reopened in a week and a half to two weeks.

The bridge was officially closed down late Friday, Dec. 22 after an emergency inspection by TxDOT deemed the bridge unsafe for travel. County commissioners and other local leaders met later that night at the Stephens County Courthouse to discuss emergency logistics. Additionally, Roach issued a disaster declaration which made the county eligible for more emergency services from the state.

The Stephens County Sheriff’s Office addressed a string of calls related to vehicles traveling on the bridge as recently as Tuesday, Dec. 26.

“Citizens continue to selfishly risk their lives, the lives of first responders, and the possibility of causing more damage to the bridge,” Stephens County Sheriff Kevin Roach wrote in a Facebook post. “They are putting their inconvenience above human life by moving the barricades and traveling across the bridge. The Stephens County Sheriff’s Office will have zero tolerance, and violators will be held accountable.”

The moving of the barricade and traveling on the bridge is a misdemeanor crime punishable of a fine up to $200. Doing so while construction workers are present increases the fine to up to $400.

“If someone disregarded the barricades and caused more damage to the bridge. They could possibly be charged with criminal mischief as well,” Sheriff Roach wrote in a text message. “The level of crime (Misdemeanor or felony) would be based on the dollar value of the damage.”

Stephens County continues to stage resources on the west end of the bridge to provide quicker emergency services until bridge repair is completed.