HWY 180: Mile Long Bridge Emergency Closure - UPDATED 12.22.2023 at 9:30 pm

UPDATE 12.22.2023 at 9:30 pm

Stephens County Judge and Commissioners held emergency meeting 12.22.2023 at 7:30 pm to make contingency plans for emergency management with recent TXDOT announcement that the Mile Long Bridge/HWY 180 has been closed until further notice due to bridge structural concerns. The following are quick notes from the meeting:

TXDOT (not at meeting but communicated through their public information channels)

  • TXDOT communicates through PIO. Follow TXDOT Brownwood District on X (formerly Twitter) https://twitter.com/TxDOTBWD
  • TXDOT detour: From Breckenridge detour to US 183 N to US 283 S (just south of Throckmorton) to Albany.
  • TXDOT: No timeline yet. Press release to come. Working their channels to determine extent of structural damage and expeditious solution. Should have more info of plan in the upcoming days.

STEPHENS COUNTY

  • Stephens County will put out suggested alternate route maps that include:
    • Gravel but shorter - 576 to 292 to 290 to 294
    • Black top but longer: 576 to 601
  • Stephens County:
    • In communication with state representatives for emergency management resources
    • In communication with TDEM resources for medical
  • Stephens County SO – Has a unit stationed on west side/24 hour coverage

CITY OF BRECKENRIDGE

  • City of Breckenridge FD:
    • Has staged equipment (small tanker, quick attack brush truck and back-up Jaws of Life) on west side of the bridge for emergency response.
    • Has communicated with Shackelford County/ Albany FD.
    • Hubbard Creek also has a quick attack brush truck staged on the west side of the bridge.
  • City of Breckenridge PD
    • Dispatch is directing calls from west side of bridge to Shackelford County/Albany emergency resources, hospital, etc.
    • Shackelford County Health Clinic, 450 Kenshalo Street, Albany, TX Tel: (325) 762-3661
  • Sacred Cross EMS will coordinate with partners (Shackleford) to put on notice of working on alternate response strategies.
  • BISD - out for 2 weeks for holidays
    • Two concerns: developing contingent strategies for student population and staff
  • Public Comment: Meals on wheels check on each other, communicate, take meals to elderly and be aware of elderly people needs. Has a place to stage resources on the west side.

This is a developing issue: The Texas Department of Transportation has informed Stephens County that the “Mile Long Bridge” / 180 West will be closed ASAP. The bridge failed an inspection and will undergo major repairs. We will update the public as soon as we know more information. Mile long bridge closing DEC 2023
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