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Engineering firm recommends replacing Liska Road bridge; plan-level cost $700K–$900K
Summary
Friese Nichols presented a structural assessment Aug. 19 concluding the Liska Road bridge over Cummins Creek is deteriorated and that replacement—likely box culverts or a new low-profile crossing—would be more durable than repeated repairs; the commission directed staff to explore demolition and replacement options.
Friese Nichols presented the results of a structural inspection and options analysis for the Liska Road bridge over Cummins Creek during the Aug. 19 meeting of the Ennis City Commission.
Brad Watson, the firm's structural engineer, said timber deck sections and several steel piles show advanced deterioration and that past repairs had masked underlying damage. Watson said repairs are possible but would likely be short-lived because the structure appears aged and not built to modern standards; "you're just putting lipstick on the pig," he said, describing why patch repairs may not be cost-effective long term.
Friese Nichols recommended replacing the structure. Watson said a box‑culvert solution or a new low‑profile crossing is likely the most cost‑effective long‑term solution following hydraulic analysis; staff and the engineer offered a planning‑level cost range of about $700,000 to $900,000 that would include demolition, design and construction, subject to final hydraulic study and detailed scope.
Commissioners instructed staff to explore options for removing the existing structure incrementally or under contract and to pursue right‑of‑way discussions with adjacent landowners who might offer alternate alignment options that could eliminate the need for a bridge. Staff emphasized a hydraulics study and geotechnical work would be required to refine sizing and cost estimates before the commission would authorize construction funding.
The commission did not authorize immediate construction funding Aug. 19 but directed staff to continue engineering and coordination work and to return with next steps and refined cost estimates.
