Construction is underway for a new Red River Bridge on Hwy. 78 in Bonham, Texas.
The new bridge will be built next to the old one, which was originally constructed in 1937, and is expected to be completed by next fall.
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation say they are building the new bridge as the old one has structural deficiencies, however, it is still safe to use.
According to fannincountyhistory.org, the current bridge is the only surviving K-Truss bridge in Texas. It has an overall length of 2,108 feet, and provides a crossing between Fannin County, Texas and Bryan County, Oklahoma.
The “eight riveted K-truss through spans, with two camelback pony truss spans at each end” was a joint project between the Texas Highway Department and the Oklahoma Highway Commission. The K-Truss is “meant to afford greater span length and strength” (Jensen).
The project is not expected to cause traffic delays. The highway will be realigned with the new bridge.
Photo: Oklahoma Bridges
