Texas DOT to replace Forth Worth & Western Railroad bridge

The Texas Transportation Commission last week awarded a $12.4 million contract to replace the Fort Worth & Western Railroad bridge southeast of Early, Texas.

The contract was awarded to Austin-based Flatiron Constructors Inc. to replace the obsolete bridge, which was built in 1954 and crosses U.S. 84/183, according to a press release issued by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).

The new structure will allow the highway to be widened to four 12-foot travel lanes as the highway passes under the railroad. Currently, the highway is four lanes on either side of the existing bridge, but narrows to only two lanes as it passes under the bridge, TxDOT officials said.

Construction is expected to begin in summer and last two-and-a-half years. A temporary railroad bridge will be erected to allow for continued railroad operations during the construction period.