FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jason Pierce
Mgr. Governmental Affairs & Communications
(972) 219-1228 / jpierce@utrwd.com
FM 2990 bridge is closing, traffic will reroute over SH 34 road and new bridges
Temporary fossil park will stay accessible
Ladonia, TX (June 26, 2024) – Starting July 8, the FM 2990 bridge over the North Sulphur River will close to traffic. The roadway on either side of the bridge will remain open to local traffic. Fossil hunters can access the current Ladonia Fossil Park via SH 34 and FM 1550.
In coordination with the Texas Department of Transportation (Paris District), the bridge closure is a necessary part of the planned construction for Lake Ralph Hall. Signage will alert drivers that the FM 2990 bridge is closed and to access the fossil park from the north via FM 1550. Drivers are encouraged to watch for construction signage. Stay tuned to the lake’s Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) for the latest updates.
The current, temporary Ladonia Fossil Park location will remain open until Upper Trinity Regional Water District (Upper Trinity) begins filling Lake Ralph Hall. Upper Trinity will build a new, permanent fossil park to provide fossil hunters access to the North Sulphur River after the lake fills. Upper Trinity is working to select an ideal location along FM 904 downstream of the lake for the future park. By offering access to different parts of the river, the temporary and permanent parks provide opportunities for additional and untapped fossil discoveries. Visit lakeralphhall.com for more information and updates about the fossil park.
Lake Ralph Hall is one of the state’s largest water projects in the last 30 years and will provide up to 54 million gallons of water per day to the communities Upper Trinity serves in Denton and Collin counties, as well as a portion of Fannin County. In addition to the lake’s construction and associated road work, Upper Trinity has also recently begun construction on 32 miles of underground pipeline to transport raw water from the reservoir to its water system. Upper Trinity will also conduct environmental mitigation to restore a portion of the former North Sulphur River below the Leon Hurse Dam, along with several tributaries, to its natural, meandering path. For more information about Lake Ralph Hall, visit www.lakeralphhall.com.
About the Upper Trinity Regional Water District:
Upper Trinity is a regional water district created by the Texas Legislature in 1989 for the benefit of cities and utilities in the Denton County area. Its mandate is to develop regional plans for water services and provide both water and wastewater services on a wholesale basis to cities and utilities within its service area, including all of Denton County and portions of Dallas and Collin Counties. For more information, please contact Jason Pierce, Manager of Government Affairs & Communications at 972-219-1228.