The new Cow Creek bridge on RR 1431 opened to traffic Aug. 19, one month ahead of schedule. The original structure was destroyed July 5 during devastating flooding across the Highland Lakes.

The Texas Department of Transportation slashed through the red tape, kicked the rebuild project into overdrive , and replaced the critical connection between Burnet and Travis counties way before its original Sept. 19 completion date.

An emergency construction contract was awarded to Hunter Industries on July 16 after a rapid bidding process, and the project began July 21. Crews literally worked day and night to finish the bridge 31 days early.

Gov. Greg Abbott and a host of state transportation leaders held a ribbon-cutting Tuesday morning, officially opening the bridge to traffic and cutting d

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