The Texas Beach bridge is open for the first time since 2022, but more closures remain before its official reopening

The bridge is the only way to reach the Texas Beach section of the James River by land. (Photos by Michael Phillips/The Richmonder)

The Texas Beach bridge, a popular connection between Richmond's Maymont neighborhood and the James River, is open again.

The bridge closed in Sept. 2022 after officials found severe structural damage. Repairs were complicated by the fact that the bridge crosses two active CSX railroad lines, necessitating additional planning and coordination.

Richmond's Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities said in a statement that while work is "substantially completed," there are still final touches that will require closures.

"Minor aesthetic work ... needs to be completed in coordination with CSX," a spokesperson wrote. "While we are waiting for the work to be completed, the pedestrian bridge is open, however it will need to be closed again, which may occur without notice."

The bridge is accessed from the North Bank Trail, with a parking lot located off Texas Avenue.

The $2 million project was funded entirely through grants received by the city under the American Rescue Plan Act. The goal was to rebuild the bridge to look similar to the original structure, which was built in 1978.