Press Release – All traffic on US 84/183 between Early and Zephyr in Brown County is scheduled to be detoured for a 4-hour period on Wednesday, Sept. 20 as crews close the highway to install steel girders for the new railroad bridge at the Fort Worth & Western Railroad.

For the 4-hour period between approximately 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., all traffic will be detoured between the communities of Zephyr and Blanket.

Travelers heading out of Brownwood/Early towards Zephyr/Goldthwaite will be detoured to US 67/377 to Blanket, then south on FM 1467 to Zephyr.

Travelers heading towards Brownwood/Early from Zephyr/Goldthwaite will be detoured to FM 1467 to Blanket, then into Early on US 67/377.

As the length of the detour is approximately 20 miles, travelers should allow substantially more time to reach their destinations. TxDOT does not anticipate impacts to school commutes.

On Thursday, Sept. 21, motorists can expect delays as crews set concrete beams for the new bridge. Though no detours are planned for this date, the highway will be reduced to one lane, with only one direction of traffic allowed through the work zone at a time throughout the day.

Drivers are reminded that the speed limit in this work zone is 65 mph, and traffic fines are doubled when workers are present.

The new railroad bridge will allow US 84/183 to be widened to four 12-foot travel lanes as the highway passes under the railroad. Currently, the highway is a four-lane facility on either side of the existing bridge, but the highway must narrow to only two lanes as it passes under the bridge. Construction of the $12.4 million project is expected to be completed in spring 2018. A temporary bridge has been constructed to allow continued railroad operations during the construction period.

TxDOT’s Brownwood District includes Brown, Coleman, Comanche, Eastland, Lampasas, McCulloch, Mills, San Saba and Stephens counties.

For news media inquiries, contact Andrew.Carlson@TxDOT.gov or (325) 643-0413.