LONG AWAITED OPENING OF BRAZOS RIVER BRIDGE

  
County Judges Joe Fauth III and John Durenberger cut the ribbon to open the new Hwy 105 Bridge over the Brazos River.

A Ribbon Cutting ceremony was held this (Friday) morning for the new bridge that crosses the Brazos River on State Highway 105.  The project was begun by TxDOT in 2014 and then was redesigned after Hurricane Harvey and the flooding in 2016.  The project is actually three bridges, Coles Creek, the Brazos River, and the Navasota River, plus the highway to connect them.  The overall cost of the project is 33.4 million dollars.

Both the Washington County Judge John Durrenberger and Grimes County Judge Joe Fauth III spoke at the event.  The EMS helicopter landed on the bridge before the ceremony, but then had to leave for a call during the ceremony, causing an interruption of several minutes as it started it engine and took off.  Washington County EMS Director Kevin Deramus said he was grateful that TxDOT designed and built a river boat launch site under the bridge for his men to utilize for training and river emergencies.

TxDOT plans to open the bridges to highway traffic next week Tuesday. After traffic is moved to the new section of Highway 105, the contractor, James Construction Group, will begin removing the old bridges and roadway.  They will also temporarily close FM 159 at the intersection of Highway 105 between the Brazos and Navasota bridges while a new tie-in is constructed.  A signed detour will be in place to direct the public to use Highway 105 to Highway 6 to FM 2154 to access FM 159.  The tie-in work is expected to last two months.

Washington County Judge John Durrenberger pauses as the EMS helicopter leaves for a call.
Washington County EMS Director Kevin Deramus ceremonially drives across the bridge for the first time.
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2 Comments

  1. The old bridge is the Nevelle Colson bridge, named after my aunt..I hope to see the new bridge named after her.

    1. I think that is a great piece of history that the county should continue. Not sure how the EMS is tied to this bridge project but they are sure mentioned a lot in this article. Just wandering if the rest of the emergency services were invited to this event?

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