For residents of Riverwood Drive in Bastrop, the circuitous, time-consuming detour route around Piney Creek crossing should become familiar territory in coming months.
The low water crossing which has been in place for over 40 years at the entrance to Riverwood Drive, experienced a partial collapse in recent weeks and is now in the process of being completely replaced, say Bastrop County officials.
With wet winter months fast approaching, however, a time frame for restoring the crossing is still up in the air.
“The length of time this crossing will be closed is dependent on how much rainfall the area receives during the news few months,” said Bastrop County Precint 1 Commissioner Willie Pina in a letter distributed to Riverwood Drive residents this week. “Our tentative estimate is that this crossing will be closed for approximately 90 to 120 days to allow for preparation of construction plans, project bidding and completion of project construction.”
While the creek crossing may appear in normal condition at first glance – the only impending obstacle being the “closed” signs and a large stick poking out through a hole in the center of the road – a closer look quickly reveals just how hazardous the structure has become. Of central concern is the fact the earth fill surrounding a large pipe running beneath the road has been washed away, meaning the all-concrete crossing is virtually floating on air in most sections.
It is not known exactly how long the earth has been washing out into the creek from beneath the crossing, says Ronnie Moore, Bastrop County planning and project management director. As a result of flooding concerns, Moore says the Riverwood Drive entrance is often closed at times of heavy rainfall, after which workers from the city and county normally check the crossing’s condition.
Moore says he was made aware of the situation early last week after a large gap formed between the road itself and the supporting concrete slope of the crossing. A closer examination revealed that the pipe carrying water underneath the road had broken and left the creek running freely through the supporting earth. The decision was then made to close the crossing and route vehicles through the detour.
“It has probably been like that for some time,” Moore said, referring to the broken condition of the pipe.
Compounding the potential danger is the fact the crossing is composed of concrete.
“If it did fall it was just snap,” Moore said. “With steel, it bends, but not with concrete.”
While Moore acknowledges the inconvenience the detour will pose to the some 59 households on Riverwood Drive, he is quick to stress the folly of any attempt to traverse the crossing.
“It is a really dangerous situation and it could get worse with coming rains,” Moore said. “I am just thankful it didn’t fall with anyone driving across. We are going to fast track the project as quickly as we can.”
Because the crossing is already so low in the floodplain, the new bridge will be elevated somewhat higher and built larger, according to Moore.