TxDOT’s Weekly Road Construction Update
Posted/updated on: April 4, 2016 at 4:34 pm
TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in the TxDOT Tyler District during the Week of April 4. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues.
The contractor plans to close Bellwood Road on the Loop 323 West Widening Project in Tyler starting Monday and keeping the closure in place for at least a couple of weeks. Meanwhile, motorists should remain alert as night work continues starting at 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday to place hot mix in the southbound lanes. Daytime work continues as well. Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes if possible to avoid delays. Get more information about this project in the Smith County portion of this story.
Expect closures and delays on FM 2493 next week in conjunction with a city contract to construct a right turn lane. The northbound outside lane will be closed through the day starting at about 8:30 a.m. and returning to normal traffic flow at the end of each day. This work is part of efforts to expand Cumberland between US 69 and FM 2493.
SMITH COUNTY – Tyler Maintenance crews resume overlay work on FM 345 from SH 135 to County Road 230, Monday and Tuesday, then moving to FM 1253. A second crew continues base repairs on FM 2710 north of Lindale. Expect lane closures with flaggers directing traffic through the work zones.
Smith County construction projects updates:
FM 1253 Widening Project
Limits: From County Road 462 south, 1.3 miles north of FM 857 south to FM 1805; FM 1804 from Wood County line to US 69; FM 2015 from CR 313 to FM 16
Contractor: Longview Bridge and Road, Ltd., of Longview
Cost: $7.5 million
Level up work is expected to start on FM 2015 this week while structure work is ongoing on FM 2015. Expect lane closures at both locations. No work is scheduled for FM 1804. This contract consists of widening, sealing and resurfacing all three roadways.
Loop 323 West Widening
• Limits: Tyler’s West Loop and SH 31
• Contractor: Longview Bridge and Road, Ltd., of Longview
• Cost: $12 million
Bellwood Road closes for a couple of weeks starting Monday. Night work resumes at 7 p.m. Tuesday and continuing through Thursday as the contractor places hot mix on the Loop south of SH 31. Expect closures and delays. Daytime work will be ongoing as well with work on the sidewalk and curb and gutter. The temporary detours remain in place, and motorists are encouraged to AVOID making left turns from the loop within the project limits of this work zone. Caution advised as crews and heavy equipment are working close to the travel lanes which have been altered for the project. Alternate routes are encouraged to avoid possible delays.
The project includes widening Loop 323 from SH 31 to Shaw Street. The speed limit on Loop 323 in the work zone has been reduced to 45 mph from SH 64 to Shaw Street.
Loop 323 Northeast Project
Limits: From American Legion Road (@ the Loop 323 Extension to US 271) south to Commerce St.
Contractor: Reynolds and Kay, LTD.
Cost: $3.4 million
The contractor is conducting ditch work on this portion of Loop 323. The project includes culvert extensions, base repair, level-up and placing an overlay. Expect lane closures. Completion expected later this winter.
SH 31E Widening Project
• Limits: From FM 757 to FM 2012
• Contractor: Reynolds & Kay, LTD
• Cost: $7.8 million
Work on the eastbound passing lanes continues. Expect lane closures on this project designed to add passing lanes for multiple sections of roadway in both the eastbound and westbound directions. Once the widening is complete, a seal coat and final surface will be applied. A daily construction speed limit of 60 mph is in place when work is being performed on this 18-month job.
SH 64
• Limits: from Chapel Hill to Arp
• Contractor: Drewery Construction of Nacogdoches
• Cost: $3.9 million
Clean-up activities are ongoing on this project to add passing lanes between FM 2607 and Arp. Caution advised when traveling through this work zone. Expect lane closures.
GREGG COUNTY – Longview crews continue mill and inlay work on southbound FM 1845 between FM 2605 and Loop 281. Longview crews continue mill and inlay work in both north- and south- bound lanes on FM 1845 from Loop 281 to FM 2605. Both inside & outside lanes will be closed at some point with traffic being redirected. Once completed, work moves from the four-lane section of FM 1845 to the two lane section from Loop 281 to US 80 where lane closures can be expected. Slow down at these locations obeying traffic control setups in place to help guide motorists through the work zones.
Gregg County construction projects updates:
FM 2275 George Richey Extension (Segments II & III)
• Limits: McCann Road to US 259
• Contractor: East Texas Bridge, Inc.
• Cost: $12.8 million
The contractor is closing the southbound outside lane of Judson Road during work to tie it in to the new FM 2275. Paving operations continue along with construction of curb and gutter, and sidewalk, between US 259 and McCann Road. This project is constructing a new roadway from McCann Road to US 259. Clearing between Judson and Airline roads continues with excavation, embankment, bridge construction, subgrade treatment, storm drain and other work between McCann and Judson roads. This is a new location job requiring motorists to use other routes to get around Airline Road which is closed through April 2016.
FM 2275 George Richey Extension (Segments I)
Limits: McCann Road west to SH 300 (Gilmer Road)
Contractor: East Texas Bridge, Inc.
Cost: $12.4 million
Efforts continue to relocate utilities clean right of way with no impact to traffic on this new roadway construction to connect Gilmer and McCann roads. When completed, it will have two lanes in each direction with a continuous left turn lane. Excavation, embankment, bridge construction, subgrade treatment, storm drains, hot mix asphalt, curb and gutter and sidewalk are all part of the new construction.
FM 449
Limits: US 259 to FM 2751
Contractor: Madden Contracting Company, LLC
The contractor is preparing to resume work Tuesday on this project to widen the road two feet on each side. Work also includes placing an overlay on the road. Expect lane closures using a pilot car and flaggers to provide traffic control.
Loop 281 at FM 2087 Overpass
• Limits: SH 31 to approximately one mile south of SH 31
• Contractor: Longview Bridge and Road, Ltd., of Longview.
• Cost: $13.2 million
This project to build a new overpass is in Phase III of construction with traffic moved off the existing loop onto the detours. Current work is on the turn around and extension of FM 2087 under the bridge. Expect delays during the peak evening hours. Caution advised in detour areas.
SH 42
• Limits: From SH 31 north to I-20
• Contractor: Reynolds & Kay, Ltd.
• Cost: $3.7 million
No work this week for this project to construct a left turn lane at Hillcrest Road. Completion expected soon.
Landscaping Projects
Limits: Intersection of SH 31 at SH 42
Limits: Intersections of I-20 at Estes Parkway; and I-20 at Eastman Road
Contractor: South Texas Illuminations, LLC
Cost: $400,000.00
No work is scheduled for this landscaping project to enhance various intersections throughout Gregg and Rusk counties. Crews are working at the intersections of SH 42 and SH 31, and I-20, Estes Parkway and Eastman Road. When work does occur, the majority is outside the travel lane in the median and should have little impact on traffic.
ANDERSON COUNTY – Palestine crews are overlaying FM 861 in Elkhart between SH 294 and FM 319 with a pilot car and flaggers directing traffic. Expect lane closures. Other work includes removing debris and making repairs to cross structures around the county. Expect lane closures during this work as well with flaggers providing traffic control.
Anderson County construction projects updates:
US 79 New Lane Construction Project
• Limits: 1.6 miles southwest of Loop 256 in Palestine south to the Trinity River
• Contractor: Longview Bridge and Road, Ltd., of Longview.
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• Cost: $42.7 million
Currently, concrete paving operations continue on FM 645 and the northbound exit ramp. Crews are also doing pipe work on the right side of the northbound travel lanes from FM 294 to County Road 2205. Expect lane closures. This project expands a 5.3 mile section of US 79 (from 1.6 miles southwest of Loop 256 to just past FM 645) from two lanes to a four-lane divided with a depressed median. Longview Bridge and Road, Ltd., of Longview, is the contractor and started work on this project in November 2012 with completion expected at the end of this year.
SH 19 Widening
Limits: 3.6 miles north of FM 837 (Henderson Co. line) south to .4 mile north of FM 321 at Montalba
• Contractor: Big Creek Construction of Hewitt
• Cost: $12.5 million
No work is currently being conducted on this project to widen SH 19.
Off-System Bridge Replacement Project
Limits: County Road (CR) 471 at Box Creek and County Road (CR) 4801 at Indian Creek
Contractor: Longview Bridge and Road, Ltd., of Longview
Cost: $817,412.15
This project on CR 471 at Box Creek is winding down with the new bridge closed to traffic. Completion is expected once guardrail is installed.
CR 4801 at Indian Creek has a new bridge and is open to traffic as the contractor installs guardrail. Completion expected soon.
CHEROKEE COUNTY – Crews in Jacksonville and Rusk continue level up operations on FM 343 between US 69 and FM 2972 in Rusk. Expect lane closures with flaggers providing traffic control.
Cherokee County construction projects updates:
FM 22 and FM 23 Widening Project
Limits: From US 69 south of Jacksonville going SW to 1.5 miles west of FM 768 (Gallatin area); FM 23 from FM 343 to FM 1857
Contractor: Madden Contracting Company, LLC
Cost: $8.5 million
Crews continue efforts to replace driveway pipe on the FM 23 project. Expect lane closures. No work is planned on FM 22. These are safety projects designed to widen the roadways from 20’ to 24’ along a 4.2-mile section.
US 69 Widening and Resurfacing
Limits: From Loop 456 in Jacksonville going south to just north of Loop 62 in Rusk
Contractor: Madden Contracting Company, LLC
Cost: $11 million
No work this week on this project that will add 2’ edge treatment and resurface the roadway. No lane closures planned.
US 69 Widening and Resurfacing
Limits: From 0.028 mile south of FM 343 in Rusk southward to just north of SH 21 in Alto
Contractor: Madden Contracting Company, LLC
Cost: $9.3 million
Expect lane closures as pavement repairs resume in efforts to widen the roadway. The job includes widening and resurfacing this portion of US 69.
US 69 Widening and Resurfacing
Limits: From .37 miles north of FM 344 to .02 miles north of FM 347
Contractor: Madden Contracting Company, LLC
Cost: $5.6 million
The contractor is placing guardrail-related work on this job to widen and resurface the roadway.
HENDERSON COUNTY – Athens Maintenance resumes overlay operations on FM 317 between FM 314 and FM 315. A second crew is making base repairs on FM 315, and ditch work and base repairs on FM 3079. Expect lane closures with flaggers providing traffic control.
The project to repair and reopen FM 317 in Athens has been awarded to Fritcher Construction who plans to start work later this spring. The road remains closed with traffic detoured due to damage sustained during stormy weather conditions last spring. A washout occurred three miles east of SH 31. Repairs totaling $466,216.00 should take about three months to complete, weather permitting. This job is being coordinated with the Corp of Engineers and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
Henderson County construction projects updates:
SH 31 Repair Project
Limits: .09 miles west of FM 317 eastward to .34 miles west of FM 773
Contractor: Big Creek Construction, Ltd., of Hewitt
Cost: $3.6 million
The contractor continues to address seeding and vegetation on this project that consists of milling the existing surface and placing a new overlay on the roadway. Work should be completed this month.
US 175 Widening Project (Phase I)
Limits: 0.1 miles southeast of FM 804 near Baxter southeast to 1.1 miles east of Loop 60E at Larue
Contractor: A.L. Helmcamp, Inc. and Big Creek Construction
Cost: $39.2 million
The project expands US 175 from two lanes to a four-lane divided with a depressed median. A traffic switch now has eastbound motorists driving on the new detour. Drivers should expect one lane carrying two-way traffic throughout the project limits as well as occasional day time lane closures. Drivers on adjacent county roads and FM 804 should anticipate a change in traffic flow due to the detour now requiring two-way traffic on US 175. Dirt and drainage work around Loop 60E in Larue to near Baxter is ongoing. The speed limit in the construction zone has been set at 55 mph so slow down because traffic fines double when workers are present. Phase I construction started April 6, 2015 and has an anticipated completion date in November 2018.
US 175 Widening Project (Phase II)
Limits: 1.1 miles east of Loop 60B to 0.85 mile east of FM 315
Contractor: Sundt Construction, Inc., of San Antonio
Cost: $37.8 million
As part of the new highway construction, a short stretch of CR 4401 has been permanently closed from the intersection of US 175’s new eastbound lanes to the new right of way. The rest of CR 4401 will remain open and can be accessed from CR 4345/Camp Road. Meanwhile, the contractor continues dirt work around FM 315 south of Poynor as well as around LaPoynor ISD. Drainage work is ongoing throughout the project.
This Phase II project will expand US 175 from two lanes to a four-lane divided with a depressed median. Drivers should anticipate two-way traffic throughout the project limits which stretch 4.7 miles ending just east of FM 315 in Poynor. The speed limit has been set at 55 mph. A portion of this phase is being built on new location around the south side of Poynor. This like Phase I, is a mobility project to add capacity and improve safety, and includes adding one lane in each direction. It is a two-year project.
US 175 Widening Project (Phase III)
Limits: 0.85 miles east of FM 315 in Poynor, southeast to .5 miles NW of SH 155 at Frankston
Contractor: A.L. Helmcamp, Inc.
Cost: $27.6 million
This project which will expand US 175 from two lanes to a four-lane divided highway with a depressed median is expected to start later this spring.
FM 315/FM 1616 Widening Project
Limits: From FM 314S to CS End at County Road 4325, 4224, etc.
Contractor: Big Creek Construction, LTD, of Hewitt, Texas
Cost: $3.07 million
On FM 1616, work continues to extend the cross structures. Drivers should anticipate one-way traffic throughout the project limits with daily lane closures. FM 1616 is expected to be completed this summer. Final work is being performed on FM 315. Completion is expected around mid-summer.
SH 31 Bridge Painting Project – Westbound at Trinity River/Eastbound at Cedar Creek
Limits: From just east of Cedar Creek to just west of the Trinity River
Contractor: Olympus Painting Contractors Inc., of Clearwater, Florida
Cost: $2.3 million
Traffic control for Phase I has been implemented with concrete traffic barriers being set on the Trinity River Bridge. Work for cleaning and painting the existing steel structure over the Trinity River will continue. Work under the Cedar Creek Bridge will begin as soon as weather permits. Work is expected to be completed in July of 2016.
FM 316 Widening Project
Limits: From FM 1256 south to FM 3080
Contractor: Big Creek Construction, Ltd., of Hewitt
No work is scheduled this week on this widening project.
RUSK COUNTY – Henderson Maintenance is conducting edge maintenance on FM 918 between US 259 and SH 42 and on FM 2012 between FM 918 and FM 850. Expect the roadway to be reduced to one lane carrying two-way traffic with a pilot car and flaggers guiding motorists through the work zones.
Rusk County construction projects updates:
US 259 South Project
Limits: Southbound lanes from 0.4 miles S of US 79 in Henderson south to 0.4 miles N of FM 1798
Contractor: Madden Contracting Company, LLC
Cost: $5.7 million
The contractor continues work to place embankment on the roadway edges. Expect lane closures and delays in the work zone. This 10.13-mile project consists of base repairs, mill and inlay of asphalt surface, PFC overlay, and pavement markings.
US 79 South Project
Limits: From Loop 571 in Henderson going southwest for 3.0 miles to FM 839
Contractor: Drewery Construction Co., Inc.
Cost: $6.7 million
Work continues to extend the structures and place embankment on the widened edges. Expect delays with possible lane closures. The project includes widening the existing paving and adding a center left turn lane resulting in a new asphalt surface when the job is completed. The posted speed limit has been reduced to 60 mph throughout this work zone and is being enforced by DPS.
FM 3135
Limits: County Road 222 to County Road 262
Contractor: Madden Contracting Company, LLC
No work is planned on this project consisting of widening the road and adding shoulders.
FM 95
Limits: FM 1798 to SH 315
Contractor: Madden Contracting Company, LLC
No work is scheduled for this project consisting of widening the road and adding shoulders.
Landscaping Projects
Limits: SH 64 and US 79
Contractor: South Texas Illuminations, LLC
Cost: $400,000.00
No work is scheduled on this landscaping project to enhance various locations in Rusk County (in conjunction with the contract in Gregg County.) Crews are working on SH 64 and Loop 571. The majority of the work is outside the travel lane in the median and should have little impact on traffic. The traveling public should be cautious of construction vehicles entering and leaving the project sites.
VAN ZANDT COUNTY – Canton crews continue work on SH 110 between FM 16 and FM 1805. Work includes applying an overlay, and maintaining the edges and base. Expect lane closures with flaggers providing traffic control.
Van Zandt County construction projects updates:
SH 64 Widening Project
Limits: From FM 858 near Ben Wheeler to FM 314
Contractor: A.L. Helmcamp, Inc., of Buffalo
Cost: $7.4 million
Work still being conducted on this job as it nears completion includes drainage and vegetation. The newly added passing lanes are open to traffic and the project is expected to be completed in April. The project will improve safety and mobility for traffic on SH 64.
SH 198 Widening Project
Limits: from SH 243 in Canton southwest to 0.4 miles northeast of FM 316 near Phalba
Contractor: Big Creek Construction, Ltd., of Waco
Cost: $5 million
Work to extend the cross structures is ongoing on the east side of the road as other work around driveways occurs on both sides of the road. Expect lane closures.
FM 314 Widening Project
• Limits: from I-20 to the Van Zandt/Henderson County line
• Contractor: A.L. Helmcamp, Inc., of Buffalo
• Cost: $11.9 million
No lane closures are expected as the contractor resumes erosion control activities south of Edom.
FM 279 Resurfacing Project
• Limits: from Ben Wheeler to Edom
• Contractor: APAC – Texas
Hot mix applications for driveways continue between Edom and Ben Wheeler. Work also includes backfilling edge of roadway. Expect lane closures.
WOOD COUNTY – Mineola crews are conducting overlay work on the northbound lanes of US 69 from the Sabine River Bridge to Loop 564. Edge maintenance continues on SH 182. Expect lane closures with flaggers directing traffic.
I-20 Total Maintenance Contract
Limits: Gregg, Smith and Van Zandt counties
Contractor: Fireman Excavating
Routine maintenance activities continue on I-20 with moving operations throughout the week:
– Striping work starts Monday in Smith County
– Debris removed Monday and Tuesday from the inside lane through all three counties
– Debris removed Tuesday and Friday from the outside lane
– Delineators upgrade work Monday and Tuesday in Van Zandt County
– Herbicide activities start Tuesday in Van Zandt County making its way through all three counties
– Sign crew working in Gregg County on Wednesday
No lane closures are planned during this work but that could change so motorists should remain alert during I-20 travels.
Wood County construction projects updates:
FM 2869 Project
Limits: From FM 852, south of Winnsboro going South to FM 2088
Contractor: Longview Bridge and Road, Ltd., of Longview
Cleanup activities resume throughout the project limits. No lane closures planned.
