Overpass Will Cost $30 Million

Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) provided the Record with an update on the proposed overpass on US 77 in Schulenburg.

TxDOT has not yet allocated funding for the project, but the department estimates it will cost about $30 million.

The current underpass that carries traffic on US 77 under the railroad tracks in Schulenburg was built in 1935. It has a clearance of 13 feet and eight inches. Oversized loads often strike the old bridge that carries the railroad tracks and North and South Main Street over the underpass. After one such incident back in April, TxDOT told the Record they were looking at options to improve the clearance issues with the old underpass.

Back in October, representatives from TxDOT met with the Schulenburg City Council about two possible plans to replace the underpass. One plan called for a new, deeper underpass with greater clearance. The other plan called for replacing the underpass with an overpass. Preliminary plans for the overpass called for a bridge with a minimum clearance of 30 feet from the railroad tracks. The south end of the new bridge would begin near the Schulengraphic, burg Public Library between Simpson St. and Baumgarten St. The north end of the bridge would be located between Anderson St. and N. Main.

TxDOT asked the Council for their preference. After reviewing the plans, Council recommended the overpass option.

“TxDOT approached the City so that we are on the same page moving forward with the preliminary design for the project,” said TxDOT Public Information Officer Lucea’n Kuykendall. “There are several steps we need to go through with the design and environmental coordination due to the project complexity.”

Kuykendall said TxDOT has not set a construction date since the project is not yet funded.

“Once funding is appropriated, it could take three to four years to develop and award a contract to a construction contractor,” Kukendall said.

Whenever the project begins, traffic would be diverted on Spur 222 (Lyons Ave.) through downtown during construction.

The battered old underpass in Schulenburg has certainly seen better days. It opened in 1935. The underpass must have been a great convenience for citizens and travelers at that time. Back in those days, trains actually stopped in town to load and unload both passengers and freight. Before the underpass, the town was effectively cut in half whenever the train stopped.

A grand opening was held on Jan. 7, 1935. About 2,500 people gathered that night for the celebration, according to an article that appeared in The Schulenburg Sticker that week.

“The City Council decided it would be proper and fitting to have entertainment to go along with the opening, so Smitty’s Orchestra was called on to furnish the music,” the article stated. “The orchestra played a number of pieces of music and soon the crowd began filling the underpass.”

The article went on to say that several local people and a few distinguished guests spoke at the event. Among the dignitaries present were the State Highway Engineer for this district, a Mr. Hodges of Yoakum, along with F.T. Stoddard of the United States Bureau of Public Roads. Smitty’s Orchestra furnished dance music throughout the night. The article concluded by saying, “The Underpass is a beautiful structure and something any town would be proud of.”

Editor’s note: Special thanks to Gary E. McKee for telling us about this wonderful old article from The Schulenburg Sticker.