Court approves utility permit for County Road 308 bridge replacement; vendors to coordinate traffic control

Garrett Newman with Frontier requested a county right-of-way utility permit to support a TxDOT bridge-replacement project on County Road 308 in Orange Grove. Newman said the work will downsize three cables, set new poles close to the right-of-way and install a new aerial strand to maintain service for affected customers; engineering vendor ADCO is assisting and the construction contractor had not been named at the meeting.

Commissioners and staff stressed the need for clear traffic-control plans and advance notifications so emergency responders are not surprised by closures; one commissioner cited a recent incident where a long rural road closure interfered with a 911 response. Newman said Frontier will coordinate with its engineering and construction vendors and include the sheriff’s department and dispatch in permitting and traffic-control plans.

The court approved the permit by motion and voice vote, with the expectation the vendor will include signage, flaggers and notifications in its permitting plan.

Why it matters: The permit facilitates a TxDOT bridge replacement that requires utility adjustments; coordination with law enforcement and traffic control affects emergency access on a long rural road.