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Repairs of Hwy 78 washout at Red River to begin Friday
By Allen Rich
Jul 14, 2015
Bonham -- For commuters and travelers who have been inconvenienced by the closure of State Highway 78 north of the Red River bridge, the end of this ordeal that began June 21 is in sight.
According to a spokesperson with Oklahoma Department of Transportation in Oklahoma City, repairs of the washout on the northern approach to this historic Red River bridge are scheduled to begin Friday, July 17, 2015.
The repair contract has a 21-day incentive clause; ODOT anticipates the contractor will meet the deadline of August 7.
However, it is important to note that even after the washout is repaired, Hwy 78 will remain closed until divers from ODOT and TxDOT can inspect the bridge pilings to ensure the 76-year-old structure remains safe for the traveling public.
The historic bridge that connects Bryan County, Oklahoma and Fannin County, Texas is almost twice as old as the average bridge in the US. Built in 1938, the Hwy. 78 bridge is 2,100 feet long.
The ODOT spokesperson confirmed that this bridge is set to be either replaced or completely renovated in 2018, pending a 50/50 agreement by ODOT and TxDOT.
Drone video courtesy of Kyle Porter
https://youtu.be/eHZMDT6vm-s
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The following ground-level photos are by Allen Rich
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