Approval by Texas Department of Transportation and the US Federal Highways Administration means that design-build procurement for the project can now begin early this year.
The estimated construction cost for the project is between US$558 million and US$679 million.
The aim is to deliver a combined final environmental impact statement and record of decision towards the end of the year, two years earlier than expected. The estimated date for completing the project is 2020.
Replacement of the 3.6km bridge is designed to address a number of issues, including a lack of capacity. The existing structure also has a number of deficiencies, causing high maintenance costs and navigational restrictions.
The preliminary assessment sets out the preferred route, which was recommended after evaluation of several potential alignments for a new bridge, as well as a ‘no-build’ scenario, leaving the current bridge in place.
