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.