BROWNWOOD – Motorists traveling between Early and Zephyr on US 84/183 can expect delays on Wednesday, July 12 as crews complete the demolition of the old railroad bridge at the Fort Worth & Western Railroad.

Beginning at approximately 8 a.m., crews will shut down one or both lanes of the highway for up to 15 minutes at a time as the remaining bridge columns are removed. No official detours will be in place, though motorists are asked to utilize patience while waiting for the travel lanes to reopen. The delays are not scheduled to last beyond Wednesday.

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The primary portions of the old bridge were removed on June 29. A temporary bridge has been constructed to allow continued railroad operations during the construction period.

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 of the $12.4 million project is expected to be completed in spring 2018.

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