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February 2009
TxDOT Update on 59 Project
The night time operation planned for Loop 287 tonight has been postponed until Thursday evening February 26. The operation was to prepare for a traffic switch so that work could begin on the south side of the Tulane Drive Bridge.
Work is now underway on the U.S. 59 mainlanes and motorists have no doubt noticed that the mainlanes at U.S. 59 and Loop 287 have been torn up as the construction process begins. The southbound mainlanes at Loop 287 have been reduced to one travel lane for a short distance. The southbound frontage road has been opened and motorists can stay on that lane to reach businesses such as Huntington State Bank, Wal-Mart, Sam’s, etc. Those who want to continue on U.S. 59 to points further south will notice a temporary ramp installed in the vicinity of HSB that will put them back on the mainlanes.
By 5 p.m. today, TxDOT will be routing U.S. 59 northbound traffic onto the newly constructed frontage road. Once motorists travel under the recently completed Whitehouse/Daniel McCall Drive Bridge they will enter a temporary northbound ramp onto the frontage road. They will remain on the two-lane ramp until exiting back onto U.S. 59. Those in the left lane must enter U.S. 59 which will take them into Lufkin. The right lane will be routed around the eastbound frontage road to continue east or go to Loop 287.
One other note, Harmony Hill Drive/FM 1877 traffic cannot enter U.S. 59 but must stay on the frontage road. However, northbound traffic in the right lane can exit the frontage road onto Harmony Hill Drive/FM 1877.
Traffic has been flowing relatively smoothly with some delays which could be short or long depending on the time of day. The traveling public is encouraged to use caution when traveling through the construction zone and to look for posted advanced warning and detour signs. Also slow down and exhibit patience while traveling through the area for the safety and protection of motorists, pedestrians and workers.
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Detour Routes
A reader asked a great question about how drivers can get to places like Huntington State Bank and El Chico from Crown Colony or that direction since construction has blocked off the easy way to get there.
TxDOT officials gave a couple of ways to get around construction. One would be to drive up the highway until you see a place where you can do a U-turn and then turn around and go back that direction. The other would be to take College Drive north to Loop 287 to South First Street.
“FM 58 is also a good route for getting around the construction,” said TxDOT spokesperson Kathi White. “While this week’s work will cause some delays much of the traffic pattern will remain the same. Motorists are reminded to look for posted detour signs as work gets underway on the U.S. 59 mainlanes.”
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59 Changes
Drivers should expect changes and delays next week on the U.S. 59 South Near Term Project.
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, major work on the mainlanes will start Monday. The southbound lanes will be reduced to one lane for work at the intersection of U.S. 59 and the eastbound frontage road. This work will take about one week to complete.
On Tuesday, workers will route all northbound U.S. 59 traffic onto the newly constructed frontage road just past the Whitehouse/Daniel McCall Drive Bridge. This will remain in effect until further notice. Updates on other areas of the project include:
Whitehouse/Daniel McCall Drive Bridge:
Work is winding down.
The new traffic signals are now fully operational.
Southbound U-turn land is open.
Northbound U-turn is expected to open in the next few days.
Minor construction to be completed on main bridge with little impact on traffic.
Tulane Drive Bridge:
Loop 287 shuts down on Tuesday as the contractor prepares to switch traffic.
Night time operation 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Move westbound traffic to the north wall.
Eastbound traffic moves to the center lane of Loop 287.
This will allow the same work conducted on the northbound side of Tulane Bridge to be done on the southbound side.
Eastbound Frontage Road:
Delays can be expected next week as construction continues in the area.
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Ahead of Schedule
Construction workers could complete the U.S. 59 South Near Term Project ahead of time. Over the next few weeks drivers will notice several changes in the layout. According to TxDOT, Zachry Construction Corporation plans to open up several parts of the newly constructed areas over the next few weeks.
Whitehouse/Daniel McCall Drive Bridge:
Stripe the main bridge on Thursday, February 12 and open it on Friday the 13th.
U-turn bridges will open in a couple of weeks.
Frontage Roads/US 59:
Open the northbound and southbound frontage roads at the end of next week.
Begin construction on the U.S. 59 mainlanes.
Close the U-turn under the southbound direct connector.
Tulane Drive and Bridge:
Re-open Tulane Drive (south side) to two-way traffic within the next week.
Begin construction on the south end of the bridge within a couple of weeks.
This will necessitate a traffic switch on Loop 287.
