CHILDRESS – As of Tuesday, January 17, the entirety of FM 268 from US 287 to US 287 in
Childress and Hardeman counties has been closed to through traffic to begin the replacement of
full width bridge structures.
According to Childress Area Engineer Matthew Herbstritt, P.E., two bridge structures on FM 268
over Grosebeck Creek, one in Childress and one in Hardeman County, have been demolished by
the contractor for the project. New bridge structure construction will begin at these locations.
Non-essential traffic throughout this corridor is highly discouraged. Locals needing to access
property and homes along the FM 268 corridor may follow the signed detour that leads traffic along
US 287 to FM 1033 and north to the FM 268 intersection that is located approximately halfway
through the project.
Locals needing access may also continue to access the FM 268 roadway directly from either end
with caution given the construction work taking place in the work zone. An all-weather work road
has been provided around the bridge construction in Childress County that will be delineated with
reflective cones.
Local traffic may use this work road, if necessary, with caution. However, TxDOT advises the use
of the signed detour along FM 1033 to avoid the construction activities as much as possible. At this
time, there is not a work road in place around the Groesbeck Creek bridge in Hardeman County
and locals should use County Roads for access and creek crossings.
Please be assured that local emergency response departments are aware of the construction
access issues and plans are in place to be able to provide needed response to residents as usual.
The contractor has multiple crews working on various aspects of the widening, realignment, and
bridge replacement project and is targeting a completion date of January 2024.