Construction is scheduled to begin Tuesday, Sept. 6 on a new bridge that will replace the existing Fort Worth & Western Railroad bridge that crosses US 84/183 southeast of the city of Early.

Flatiron Constructors, Inc. of Austin was awarded the $12.4 million contract to replace the bridge, which was built in 1954.

The new 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 is expected to last approximately 2.5 years. A temporary railroad bridge will be erected to allow for continued railroad operations during the construction period.

Drivers are urged to use extreme caution in this and all work zones, and to obey all construction signs, including reduced speed limits. Traffic fines are doubled in work areas when workers are present.

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