Saturday, April 27, 2024
Bridge construction continues to take place on State Highway 236 at Mother Neff State Park. The new bridge will help alleviate the seasonal flooding at the park due to the many log jams that have occurred at the bridge.
In 2021, Texas Department of Transportation announced plans to replace the aging State Highway 236 bridge in order to stop the repeated flooding problem at Mother Neff State Park.
Flooding primarily occurred when logs became wedged between the piers of the SH 236 bridge which was constructed in 1936. The 201-foot bridge was often closed due to flood waters. In July 2021, TXDOT Public Information Officer Jack Smith said, “The goals of the project are to replace the bridge with a longer bridge and increase the elevation of the road off of both approaches.” Since construction began, SH 236 has remained closed near the park.
As of today, according to Smith, the bridge project still has remaining items outstanding including the installation of the bridge rail. “TxDOT is currently working with the contractor on a plan of action regarding the installation of the bridge rail and the opening of the bridge,” Smith said. He reported that at this time, TxDOT does not have an anticipated date for the re-opening.
In 2021, Mother Neff State Park Superintendent Melissa Chadwick said “Once the new bridge is in place, seasonal flooding events should not impact State Highway 236 as much as they have done over the last years which will help make traveling to the park much easier.” Chadwick said that the new bridge will be a huge welcome to Mother Neff State Park and its many visitors.
