Press release
The first phase of construction to expand U.S. 175 from Baxter to Frankston through Henderson and Anderson counties is under way.
The project comes after the Texas Transportation Commission’s recent approval and includes two additional projects, all designed to improve safety and reduce congestion along the highly traveled roadway.
The expansion, covering 13.8 miles, will cost in excess of $105 million to include the second project approved Thursday by the commission, and a third on the fall bid schedule. The projects were identified as a priority by the commission when it awarded $70 million toward the construction costs in 2014.
“As this project and others across the state demonstrate, safety and mobility remain top priorities for TxDOT,” said Commissioner Jeff Austin III, Texas Transportation Commission. “Our state is growing at a rapid rate, which means projects like this one must continue to be priorities in our efforts to relieve congestion and improve safety.”
The projects will expand U.S. 175 from two lanes to a four-lane divided roadway with a depressed median.
Construction of Phase I started April 6, 2015 and runs 6.7 miles from 0.1 miles southeast of FM 804 near Baxter southeast to 1.1 miles east of Loop 60E at Larue. The contractor for the $39.2 million project is a partnership between A.L. Helmcamp, Inc. (Buffalo, Texas) and Big Creek Construction, ( Hewitt, Texas.)
The Phase II project stretches 3.4 miles from 1.1 miles east of Loop 60E at Larue southeast to 0.85 miles east of FM 315 in Poynor. A portion of this phase will be built on new location around the south side of Poynor. The commission on Thursday awarded the $37.8 million contract to Sundt Construction, Inc., of San Antonio.
In fall 2015, the Phase III project will go to bid. It starts 0.85 miles east of FM 315 in Poynor and travels southeast for 3.7 miles to 0.5 miles northwest of SH 155 in Frankston. The construction cost is estimated at $28.3 million.
“The expansion of U.S. 175, between Baxter and Jacksonville, will improve mobility as well as economic opportunities along this significant truck route between South East Texas and the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex,” said Sen. Robert Nichols. The $105 million in funding that TxDOT has allocated to construct the segments between Baxter and Frankston is a considerable step in seeing the expansion of this corridor to completion. I would like to thank TxDOT for committing the funds to build these projects. I have known many people who were killed or injured while traveling on this roadway and this funding will help to provide an increase in safety.”