Repairs continue after temporary bridge fails inspection

The Daily Sentinel
By Nicole Bradford and Josh Edwards Staff Writers
​​​​​​​Sept 29, 2022

MELROSE — Texas Department of Transportation abruptly closed a temporary bridge on state Hwy. 21 Wednesday night after it failed a safety inspection.

TxDOT officials said repairs to the bridge about 8 miles west of Nacogdoches began Thursday after engineers and inspectors noted abnormalities in multiple bridge trusses.

“The decision was made to close the bridge immediately for repairs and further inspections,” TxDOT Lufkin District Public Information Officer Rhonda Oaks said.

When the bridge will reopen remains in flux. Initially, officials hoped to finish repairs this weekend but now say it will take until Oct. 10.

“Nobody seems to know if it’s going to be an hour, a day or a week,” said Margo Essman, who lives west side of the bridge that crosses Atascoso Creek.

Meanwhile, drivers are left with detours.

“(The closing) doubles my commute time,” said Sally Sowell, who travels from Chireno to work in Nacogdoches. “They had one job. How’d they mess up this one?”

Residents of San Augustine who commute to Nacogdoches said their drive time was increased by more than 30 minutes because of the bridge closing.

Essman said she saw what appeared to be Texas Department of Transportation officials at the bridge Wednesday night before it was closed without warning. Work crews closed the highway about a mile from both sides of the bridge, allowing only local traffic.

“I’m wondering if I’ll be able to get my mail, and if they can get my trash,” she said.

The temporary bridge will remain in place until a new, permanent bridge is completed in approximately a year and a half, Oaks said.

Nicole Bradford’s email is nicole.bradford@dailysentinel.com.

Josh Edwards’ email is josh.edwards@dailysentinel.com.