KINGSLAND, Texas – Some major traffic relief is coming to Llano County as the new Kingsland bridge will open months after it was destroyed in historic flooding.

  • Kingsland bridge reopened after washed away
  • Hit with historic flooding in 2018
  • Construction cost $17.3 million

The ribbon cutting for the new Ranch to Market 2900 Bridge took place at 2 p.m. on Friday. The bridge was washed away during historic flooding that hit Central Texas in October 2018.

Residents were told to seek higher ground as the rapidly rising Llano River crested around 40 feet at historic flooding levels. The previous record of 41.5 feet was in 1935. 

Since the flooding, drivers have had to take a 36-mile detour in and around Kingsland. Contractors have reportedly been working nonstop to complete the construction in a timely manner.

The bridge was expected to open last month. However, there were delays in the reconstruction project due to debris from the old bridge blocking drill shafts.

The new bridge is five feet higher than the previous bridge and has additional lanes. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, the construction cost $17.3 million.