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The 18-month-long closure of the Rainbow Bridge and subsequent change in traffic pattern is expected to begin later this month.

The Rainbow Bridge will close March 21, weather permitting. All traffic will be detoured to the Veterans Memorial Bridge with two lanes in each direction. A temporary detour has been constructed on the west side of the Veterans Memorial Bridge for the westbound traffic going into Port Arthur, according to information from Texas Department of Transportation. 

Southern Road and Bridge has been awarded the project in the amount of $10.9 million to perform extensive maintenance to Rainbow Bridge.

TxDOT stays in contact with leaders of Jefferson and Orange counties, keeping them advised of various closures and other issues.

The last time the Rainbow Bridge was closed for maintenance that included rerouting traffic was during a 2014 project. The contractor at that time had one lane open for traffic over the bridge itself.

Bridge history

On Sept. 8, 1938, the bridge over the Neches River connecting Port Arthur and Orange County was dedicated, replacing the Dryden Ferry. As a result of a contest in 1957 it became known as the “Rainbow Bridge.”  

The bridge was financed by the county, state, and federal governments under the Public Works Administration at a cost of $2,750,000. Beaumont representatives opposed the bridge until a compromise of 176 feet clearance was reached. The clearance was to allow the tallest ship afloat at the time (the Navy dirigible tender USS Patoka) to pass and reach Beaumont’s upstream dock.  

This made the bridge the most elevated highway bridge over tidal waters in the world and the largest bridge built by the Texas Highway Department. No ship ever came close to hitting the bottom of the bridge.

Courtesy “Texas State Historical Association” and the Museum of the Gulf Coast