Detour
Updates on road construction projects in and "trouble spots" in Angelina County. If you would like to ask about the status of a particular road, e-mail
blund@coxnews.com or
jalford@coxnews.com.
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July 2008
By Jeff Awtrey
| Wednesday, July 30, 2008, 09:31 AM
Night work is scheduled to begin on the South First Street project Thursday, according to a TxDOT press release.
An overlay will be placed on the entire roadway. The work will be done from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., according to the press release, and is expected to be finished by the end of next week.
TxDOT says motorists should use alternate routes to avoid delays.
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By Jeff Awtrey
| Monday, July 28, 2008, 03:14 PM
The South First Street/Business 59 project moves into the final phase this week, according to a TxDOT press release.
Crews are now working on the inside lanes, according to the press release.
The project is expected to be finished within a couple of weeks, according to the press release. Motorists can expect delays and should use alternate routes when possible, the press release said.
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By Brittony Lund
| Wednesday, July 23, 2008, 10:15 AM
City workers have been doing some routine maintenance on Champions Drive near the entrance to Crown Colony, according to Assistant City Manager Keith Wright. The process of milling up the pavement has the entrance to Crown Colony blocked off temporarily, but Wright said drivers can still get through if they need to. Workers will mill up the pavement next to the gutter in order to put down another layer of asphalt. The work is the beginning of an overlay program city workers will be working on in the subdivision.
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By Jeff Awtrey
| Tuesday, July 22, 2008, 09:20 AM
A TxDOT press release says the construction to widen the Tulane Drive bridge has been pushed back to at least August. It will include adding U-turn bridges and will close the bridge for 18 to 24 months.
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By Jeff Awtrey
| Monday, July 21, 2008, 04:39 PM
TxDOT will close the westbound lanes on Loop 287 near Tulane drive Wednesday night, according to a press release.
The lanes will close at 8 p.m. and reopen at 6 a.m. Thursday, according to the press release.
The traffic will be diverted onto the westbound frontage at the Tulane exit ramp and can be accessed by taking the Chestnut Street/FM 58 exit.
The traffic is being closed so crews can remove an overhead sign, according to the press release.
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By Andy Adams
| Saturday, July 19, 2008, 07:15 PM
Lufkin drivers can expect more delays and detours beginning Monday as contractors repair concrete pavement and joints on Business U.S. 59.
The Texas Department of Transportation encourages motorists to avoid the South First Street and Timberland Drive intersection (near Kiwanis Park on Timberland Drive) this week because of the repairs. Also, construction will force closing Loop 266/Old North First Street, a roadway running behind the Timberland Drive businesses. In addition, the crossover at South First Street and Raguet will be closed during the street repairs.
Work is expected to be finished in several days, “weather permitting,” TxDOT stated in a press release.
After repairs are completed, an overlay will be laid on the northbound and southbound lanes of South First Street to Loop 287. Contractors will work at night to reduce interference with traffic. The overlay is slated to be completed within the next few weeks.
TxDOT urges motorists to use alternative routes when possible, to slow down in the construction zone and to obey all traffic devices.
— Amanda Casanova
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By Jeff Awtrey
| Thursday, July 17, 2008, 02:38 PM
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A damaged beam on a train overpass on North John Redditt Drive is the reason that one lane of traffic is closed, according to David Collmorgen at TxDOT. Collmorgen said the beam was damaged and they have had to replace it. He said the crew will raise the bridge 14 to 15 inches and they should be finished with the project in three to four weeks.
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By Jeff Awtrey
| Wednesday, July 9, 2008, 12:56 PM
TxDOT says the concrete joint repair from South First Street to the loop is about 50 percent complete and will be finished in about three more weeks. After that, they will be laying asphalt on both lanes for another week. The overlay will be done at night.
I didn’t know what a concrete joint was so I googled it. According to Paving Expert, they’re set to avoid cracks in the concrete during the curing process. Concrete has a natural tendency to crack, so the joints are put in to allow movement.
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By Jeff Awtrey
| Wednesday, July 9, 2008, 11:30 AM
From a TxDOT press release
Right now, the contractor, Zachry Construction, is working in several areas from the east Loop 287 frontage road to the Whitehouse/Daniel McCall underpass.
According to TxDOT spokesperson Kathi White, overall things are progressing well.
“There is a lot going on in every direction of this project but traffic is adjusting every step of the way, particularly with the reduction of the eastbound frontage road,” White said. “We want to encourage the traveling public to stay focused on their driving being cautious and courteous. This project is still in the infancy stages with a lot of work ahead so patience and safety are very important components.”
White said there will be some upcoming closures including at the Whitehouse/Daniel McCall underpass.
“We expect to begin another night-time operation around July 15 to repair the bridge deck, and in a couple of weeks looking at more night work to take down a sign on the loop,” she said. “Again the closures will occur from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. We will have more specific information on this in the coming days.”
Work continues on the southbound and northbound frontage roads with the contractor working to get driveways opened. Construction in the Tulane Drive area is expected to begin in August, closing the Tulane Drive Bridge for 18 to 24 months.
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By Jeff Awtrey
| Tuesday, July 8, 2008, 12:43 PM
These are photos I took around 11 a.m. today at the construction site at U.S. 59 and the loop. Traffic coming onto the loop from the south lane flows fine until the traffic from First Street gets the green light, then it gets backed up pretty fast from Tulane all the way to the intersection.
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By Andy Adams
| Thursday, July 3, 2008, 03:03 PM
Press release issued today by the Texas Department of Transportation:
As families begin to travel to their July Fourth holiday destinations both near and far, TxDOT is urging motorists to be cautious and patient when traveling through construction work zones. Even though work may be halted on the US 59 project on Lufkin’s south side during the long weekend, motorists should keep safety in mind and be mindful of the varying detours and traffic control devices for this and all projects.
According to TxDOT, the traveling public can expect short delays as traffic volume increases particularly in the northbound lanes of US 59 in the construction area. Some congestion can also be expected for those exiting US 59 going eastbound on Loop 287 with the reduction of that frontage road to one lane. Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes to avoid the construction area whenever possible.
TxDOT reminds motorists to remember the following tips to help keep Texas highways safe.
• Buckle up.
• Obey speed limits.
• Don’t drink and drive.
• Designate a driver.
• Call a cab.
• Spend the night where you are, if possible.
Remember, traffic fines double when workers are present.
For more information, call Kathi White, public information officer, at (936) 633-4395. Information about TxDOT is also available through the department’s Web site at www.txdot.gov.
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By Jeff Awtrey
| Wednesday, July 2, 2008, 09:35 AM
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The frontage road from U.S. 59 at the Loop has been reduced to one lane all the way past Tulane Drive, according to TxDOT. Work continues on the southbound and northbound frontage roads, as well as the widening of the Whitehouse/Daniel McCall Drive underpass, according to TxDOT. TxDOT urges motorists to allow extra time to reach their destinations and to take alternate routes when possible.
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