TxDOT Replaces Another Bridge in Ellis County

ELLIS COUNTY – On Monday, May 19, Ed Bell Construction Company will begin work to replace the bridge on FM 878 at a branch of the Mustang Creek approximately 1.5 miles east of the US 287 Waxahachie bypass.

Through traffic will be maintained; although, minor delays should be expected. The two lane bridge will be reduced to one lane with a traffic signal on either end to safely control traffic flow.

The contractor will demolish and replace one half of the bridge at a time, switching traffic from one side to the other until the work is complete. All phases of the $1 million construction project are expected to be completed within 11 months and open to traffic by spring 2009.

This bridge is one of many previously selected for replacement by the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) bridge division. TxDOT regularly inspects all bridges in Texas, and prioritizes for replacement, those that are nearing the end of their life expectancy.

TxDOT currently spends approximately $250 million annually to replace bridges statewide; however, diminishing funding sources require increased maintenance expenditures to keep them functional.