In the final step before informing the Texas Historical Commission that demolishing the historic Goodman Bridge is the only remaining option, TxDOT on Monday opened the bid process to relocate and preserve the historic bridge to the public, according to Jennifer Adams, TxDOT environmental specialist.
She said proposals will be accepted until 5 p.m. Dec. 2.
The historic bridge, located off CR 789 near Douglass, is more than 100 years old and in desperate need of repairs. TxDOT has agreed to fund a new, two-lane replacement for the aging one-lane bridge, but in order for the Goodman Bridge to be moved, it must be maintained and kept up with THC standards, Adams said. She said TxDOT met with county and city representatives this past summer to discuss potential plans to preserve and relocate the bridge, but TxDOT has yet to hear back from them on a firm plan and TxDOT must continue with its plan to construct a new bridge.
City and county officials originally discussed moving the Goodman Bridge to the site of the city's proposed aquatic park, and then, more recently to Lanana Creek be used as a walkway, but officials at a July 17 meeting, noted the latter plan had to be put on hold when an interlocal agreement between the city and county hit a dead end.
"Because we did not receive a plan from the city or county to preserve the bridge, in order to keep up with the letting date that we have scheduled for the project," she said. "... The marketing (of the bridge in the public notice) is done so that if another person wants the bridge, they can submit a plan, but it also requires them to sign the agreement that they'll keep the bridge up to THC standards and take care of it."
Nacogdoches County Judge Joe English said the county is continuing to work with area historians and state political leaders to keep the bridge after TxDOT says that it is salvage.
Adams said as of Thursday she had not received any plans.
She said if no plans are submitted by Dec. 2, TxDOT will present all its documentation on the bridge, including the advertisement for the bridge to THC, informing them that there is no alternative but to demolish the bridge.
"Right now we're shooting for a May letting, and construction is usually delayed about a month or two, so late June or early July, construction would start," she said.
Representatives from TxDOT at the July meeting informed city and county officials that moving and restoring the bridge was estimated as $300,000, and the replacement bridge would come at no cost to the county, though the project is anticipated to cost the state around $1.17 million.
Adams said the historic bridge will remain open during construction of the new bridge so residents can travel on that road.
"We wanted to leave the road open because it has so many people that use that roadway as a shortcut between Alto and Nacogdoches," she said.
The public notice states an assessment of the condition of the bridge is available for review at the TxDOT office in Lufkin and anyone interested in submitting a plan on the bridge should contact Adams at 633-4383.
