TxDOT press release
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) announced this evening the much-awaited opening of FM 317 in Athens (Henderson County) following the completion of repairs more than a year in the making. Traffic will be allowed on the roadway by Wednesday, Aug. 31.
According to TxDOT, construction to rebuild the roadway at the Athens Fish and Game Lake Dam is complete with the contractor currently working to apply the permanent striping and finalize cleanup activities. It could open as early as Tuesday.
FM 317 has been closed with traffic detoured since severe storms caused it to wash out about three miles east of SH 31 in March 2015. Stabilization work was conducted last year while a permanent fix was designed. TxDOT worked with the Corp of Engineers and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to develop plans for permanent repairs to the roadway and dam. The contractor, Fritcher Construction of Tyler, started repairs on May 9, 2016. The project cost $466,216.
“The closure of FM 317 has been an inconvenience for motorists so we’re extremely happy to get it back to normal traffic flow,” said Kathi White, TxDOT Public Information Officer. “We are appreciative of the patience and cooperativeness of the traveling public during this process.”