RIO HONDO — Drivers could soon have relief from their lengthy detour.
More importantly, businesses may be able to get back on track sooner.
It’s all good news for those who regularly use the historic, yellow lift bridge that connects local cities to downtown Rio Hondo.
TxDOT officials say the renovations of the lift bridge over the Arroyo Colorado are coming along great, and may be complete before the original deadline.
“The work and the bridge are on schedule,” said Octavio Saenz, TxDOT public information officer.
“Currently we are working on the electrical and mechanical components of the bridge.”
Saenz said, “we are looking to complete the project in the summer.”
TxDOT officials first said the renovation project was expected to be completed by December 2017.
Rio Hondo’s famed Lift Bridge over the Arroyo Colorado closed Sept. 26 as crews began a $12 million overhaul.
The retrofit of the unique yellow bridge, which opened in 1953, poses challenges to engineers and contractors because it is the only such mechanical lift bridge in Texas.
Rio Hondo officials say there are only two other bridges like it in the country, in California and in Louisiana.
The Louisiana Bridge no longer raises and lowers, merely serving as a fixed crossing.
TxDOT reported 6,000 vehicles crossed the Rio Hondo lift bridge the day before it closed.
“We are urging the contractor to speed things up when so we can open up before the estimated time,” Saenz said.
“We are on schedule and we are looking forward to opening the bridge ahead of time.”
He said the bridge has been painted as well.
And there have been no complaints directly about the bridge being unoperational.
However restaurant and convenience store owners have seen a drop in sales and traffic through their small town.
“With any change to the traffic flow people have to get accustomed to the change,” Saenz said.
“The maintenance is for safety purposes and if we’re going to do our job were going to do it right.”
