Crews Clearing Roads, Right of Way after Storms

TYLER – Crews around the Tyler District are getting back to their normal routines while continuing cleanup efforts following the latest storms, according to a news release from TxDOT. Several roads are undergoing emergency repairs after being washed out by storms which also caused a rock slide on FM 2869 in Wood County. According to TxDOT, Mineola Maintenance continues to monitor flooding on FM 1804, and FM 1254 at Lake Fork Creek Bridge in Wood County while cleaning debris from the rock slide on FM 2869 near Lake Hawkins. The rock slide occurred in the early morning Wednesday and required closing FM 2869 at the location for the day. Crews were back there Thursday to remove any remaining loose rock and dirt with the roadway closed to traffic through Thursday.

At midnight Thursday night, TxDOT, assisted by DPS, closed the westbound lane of SH 31 at Cedar Creek between Malakoff and Trinidad in Henderson County due to flooding. The eastbound lane is now carrying two-way traffic. Crews monitored the situation throughout the night. Roadway will return to normal flow when the water recedes.

Meanwhile, crews in Henderson and Jacksonville are continuing cleanup efforts including removing trees and debris from rights-of-way following Monday evening’s tornado. A sand bag operation set up at the Rusk Maintenance Office in Cherokee County to fill bags for use in areas where more flooding could occur has been suspended. Sand bags have been distributed to four locations in the metroplex as well as Ben Wheeler, Tyler, and Gun Barrel City. The operation was coordinated through the Texas Department of Emergency Management.

“With more rain in the forecast the public should remain cautious especially in areas prone to flooding,” said Kathi White, TxDOT Public Information Officer. “Crews are back to their daily routines for the most part but stand ready to respond whenever the need arises.”

The following roadways remain closed with emergency repairs either under way or being prepared:

– FM 3204 east of SH 31 in Brownsboro in Henderson County: Closed for box culvert replacement. Expected completion date is late July.

– FM 317 washed out about three miles east of SH 31 in Henderson County: Will remain closed indefinitely as plans for repairs are developed. Traffic is detoured.

– FM 1616 washed out from Loop 7 to FM 773 near Murchison in Henderson County: Repairs under way with completion in a few weeks.

– FM 768 north of Rusk in Cherokee County: Closed at the bridge and should open in a few weeks.

“Drivers are reminded not to remove barriers put in place for safety purposes at compromised locations. Doing so could create dangerous situations for themselves or others,” White said.