Commissioners approve resolution to pursue TxDOT advance funding for two bridge replacements

Washington County commissioners approved a resolution to pursue a Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) advanced funding agreement to replace two bridge substructures: the Tiger Point Road crossing at Jackson Creek and the Caney Creek Road crossing at Caney Creek.

County staff member Mr. Stoltz described the condition and funding structure. He said the superstructures and decking are in fair condition but that timber pilings under the substructure have deteriorated and the last structural analysis rated the bridges “poor,” prompting replacement planning. He said the anticipated combined construction cost for the two bridges is $780,000 and that TxDOT would fund 90 percent of construction. “What we're looking at here is we have $780,000 the anticipated cost for both of these 2 to be replaced and, that would put 10% to the county so that would be $78,000 for each of these would be our cost,” Mr. Stoltz said. He described two options for the county’s match: pay $156,000 in cash or provide an equivalent match by directing county work and funds to a county drainage project, such as a proposed Gilmore Road culvert replacement estimated at $161,545.

Mr. Stoltz detailed the Gilmore Road proposal: the crossing uses a 96-inch culvert with steep drop-offs alongside the road and an eroded flow line; staff proposed a 5-by-5 box culvert and 3:1 side slopes to reduce the sheer drop and structural concerns. He said the county’s equivalent-match approach would allow the county to count the necessary drainage work toward the TxDOT match without transacting cash to Austin.

When asked about schedule, Mr. Stoltz said the funding agreement starts the TxDOT process and that prior approvals have taken about two years from agreement to construction; he said projects approved in 2023 moved into construction in late 2025, with others proposed for early 2026, so a two- to three-year window is typical. The court voted, by voice, to approve the resolution; a commissioner moved the motion and another seconded and the court recorded the motion as carried.

If the county follows the equivalent-match option, staff said the county would use funds already planned for drainage projects in the precincts and would not transfer cash to TxDOT; the county would ensure the match work occurs within TxDOT timing requirements. The court’s action authorizes staff to proceed with the advanced funding agreement process with TxDOT.

The item may affect motorists on Tiger Point Road, Caney Creek Road and Gilmore Road and requires subsequent design, permitting and construction steps with TxDOT.