Local landmark to stand

- Clear Fork of the Brazos -

The Rough Creek Bridge on County Road 309 north of Hobbs is currently undergoing an upgrade by the Texas Department of Transportation.

The south approach and the deck are being rebuilt, and the rails refurbished and brought up to current engineering standards, according to TXDOT Public Information Officer Mary Belle Turner.

The structure is described by TXDOT as a Warren pony truss with a polygonal top chord. It was originally built in 1930 on FM 1657, just south of Cross Roads Baptist Church, crossing over the Clear Fork of the Brazos River.

Rotan resident Billie McCombs, who worked on relocating the bridge, said it was moved to Rough Creek in 1956 after the roadway was paved and the bridge was not considered adequate for the heavier loads that would cross the creek.

The project is slated to finish in April.

The contractors for this job are Hodges & Sons Construction out of Omaha,Tx.