Press release
TxDOT (Athens) Maintenance plans to conduct base repairs on FM 316 and address routine maintenance on roads around the county. Expect lane closures with flaggers directing traffic.
Updates to continuing projects around Henderson County include:
FM 317 Repair Project
- Limits: At Athens Fish and Game Lake Dam
- Contractor: Fritcher Construction
- Cost: $446,216.00
- Anticipated Completion Date: Late Summer 2016
Repair work is progressing on schedule for this roadway/bridge in an effort to get it open to traffic again. The road closed in March 2015 due to a flood-related washout about three miles east of SH 31. Repairs are expected to be completed later this summer, weather permitting. The plans for the permanent repairs have been coordinated with the Corp of Engineers and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
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
- Anticipated Completion Date: November 2018
The eastern portion of Loop 60 is closed through the summer for construction of the new westbound mainlanes on this project that expands US 175 from two lanes to a four-lane divided with a depressed median. 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.
US 175 Widening Project (Phase II)
- Limits: 1.1 miles east of Loop 60B at LaRue to 0.85 mile east of FM 315 at Poynor
- Contractor: Sundt Construction, Inc., of San Antonio
- Cost: $37.8 million
- Anticipated Completion Date: Late Summer 2017
The contractor continues dirt work around FM 315 south of Poynor as well as drainage work throughout the project. 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 remains open with access from CR 4345/Camp Road.
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.
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
- Anticipated Completion Date: Spring 2019
On Monday, the contractor expects to begin clearing right of way near the Poynor city limits. Additionally, earthwork operations continue from the city limits to County Road (CR) 303 as does the installation of drainage culverts west of CR 303. Expect daily lane closures. This project is expanding US 175 from two lanes to a four-lane divided highway with a depressed median.
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
- Anticipated Completion Date: Late Summer 2016
The construction widening project is ongoing with work to extend the cross structures. One-way traffic can be expected 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.
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
- Anticipated Completion Date: Summer 2016
The next phase of work on this project will occur under the bridges once the ground dries. Work on the bridge decks has been completed on both the westbound Trinity River Bridge and the eastbound Cedar Creek Bridges.