Denton County Commissioner Dianne Edmondson, Precinct 4, commemorated Monday the re-opening of the Old Alton Road Bridge in southern Denton County.

The bridge initially washed out during heavy rains in September 2018. The project was completed Oct. 5, 2019, just over a year later. Some delays were caused by heavy rain this summer.

“For government, that’s a pretty speedy project turnaround,” Edmondson told a crowd of 20 at the ribbon cutting. “Public safety is No. 1 in our county, especially along a school bus route,” Edmondson said.

The road was widened and the guardrail extended to improve safety for road users, according to a news release from the county. The $542,000 project increased water flow capacity under the road by 200 percent, Edmondson said. The chances for water overtopping the road at least once a year dropped from 99.5 percent to less than 30 percent.

The project also included grouted rock riprap to help stabilize and reduce erosion from the channel for both the overhead railroad and the road itself. Riprap flume was installed to reduce maintenance needs.

Joining the commissioner at the ribbon cutting were Denton County Judge Andy Eads, Precinct 1 Commissioner Hugh Coleman, Precinct 3 Commissioner Bobbie Mitchell and Double Oak Mayor Mike Donnelly.