In 1933, in the midst of the Depression, a big public works project took place in Bonham and western Fannin County, employing up to 200 men and greatly improving the road (Highway 5) from Bonham to Grayson County.

In October 1931 the Fannin County Commissioners had received the final plan for Highway 5 west of Bonham to the Grayson County line. At that time Highway 5 crossed the Texas and Pacific railroad track, leading to unsafe conditions and delays. Under the new plan an underpass beneath the railroad track would be built. Because of the realignment, land would be taken from a number of farms and businesses west of Bonham, including taking a “considerable part of Sam Rayburn’s front yard.”

There was dispute about whether the road would be north or south of the railroad. According the Margo McCutcheon of the Sam Rayburn House Historic Site,
Mr. Rayburn had favored the south of the railroad route, even though it took part of his land, because he did not want to have to cross the railroad leaving his property.

In January 1933 a ”chug-a-lug” could be heard from the dragline busily digging the road out for the “famous underpass.” Heavy ditching machinery and big scrapers moved several thousand pounds of dirt at one time.

The Bonham Daily Favorite reported on February 4, 1933 on the “Big Doing Out West of Bonham Going On.”

It was reported that the highway would “drive like a mole” under the railroad tracks and that dirt was being loaded into trucks. A new modern piledriver was sinking supports. The newspaper suggested to readers that it was a sight worth seeing in person.

On February 21 the Bonham Daily Favorite advised folks to “Get in your Lizzie, or whatever you drive, and go out and inspect this job for yourself. It is interesting to note what is being done, and, also, you will find people at work, and actually busy – that, in itself is an inspiring and heartening sight.”

The Bonham Herald reported on February 23, 1933, that the work was drawing “crowds of interested spectators each day.” By May the work on paving the road from Ector to  Bonham with concrete had begun at Ector.
Highway 5 was open for travel at noon on August 5, 1933. It must have been quite an experience to drive from Bonham to Ector and beyond on a concrete road.
Then in 1971 a contract was awarded for a new underpass leading to the east.

Of course there is no need for the railroad overpass now, and when the work to expand Highway 121 takes place (which it certainly will at some point), this railroad overpass will probably go away.

But as you drive through the underpass today you can remember the history of this almost 100-year-old structure.