County officers study bridge repair

By Melinda L. Lucas

TxDOT bridge engineer Tracy Jones helped Shackelford County commissioners get closer to resolving  the repair of the Caldwell Lane Bridge on CR 179 when he met with them in a special session that included a “field trip” last Wednesday, Jan. 26.

Two different contractors have been hired over the last two years to get the bridge open to traffic again, but neither completed the contract.

Jones reviewed two options, one using concrete and the other utilizing rocks in gabions (wire baskets) to stabilize the structure.

The engineer accompanied county judge Robert Skelton and three commissioners to the bridge site, where they formulated a plan to complete dirt work to improve access to the location that needs to be repaired.

More action will be taken at future meetings.