US 175 now open

TxDOT press release

Work to return a seven mile stretch of US 175 between Baxter and LaRue, east of Athens in Henderson County, was completed Friday night and the roadway is open to traffic. The contractor has worked around the clock since Sunday, Dec. 13, to make emergency repairs to the roadway – a major east/west corridor for travel through East Texas.

That portion of US 175, sustained major damage last weekend when rain storms caused a washout of the embankment and slope. Repairs include removing part of the mainlanes, drying out and strengthening the subgrade, drainage work, and rebuilding the mainlanes.

The 10-mile detour from FM 804 at Baxter to LaRue added three miles to travelers’ commutes to avoid US 175. The closure was located within the Phase I US 175 Expansion project that runs from FM 804 near Baxter southeast to 1.1 miles east of Loop 60E at LaRue. The project contractors, A.L. Helmcamp and Big Creek Construction conducted the repair work.

TxDOT is very appreciative of the local community and motorists for their patience, law enforcement and all involved with getting this roadway open again.

“Everyone’s cooperation and support helped make the situation safer for the public and helped us to restore the road more quickly,” said TxDOT Athens Area Engineer, MKim Soucek. “I’d like to express our appreciation to the public for their patience and understanding as well as for the cooperation and support we experienced working with the LaPoynor school district.”

Soucek also applauds the efforts of the Baxter Volunteer Fire Department, the Department of Public Safety and the Henderson County Sheriff’s Department.

“We are especially appreciative for the traffic control assistance provided by the Baxter Volunteer Fire Department when we began an emergency road closure and temporary detour,” she said. “They arrived quickly and stayed into the wee hours of Sunday morning while detour signing was established. Law enforcement also provided great support.”

Now that the roadway is opening to traffic, the contractor will resume work at the US 175 construction site. The $39.2 million project expands US 175 from two lanes to a four-lane divided with a depressed median. Completion is expected in November 2018.