TxDOT Project Updates

TYLER — Here’s a quick look at events and work planned in the Tyler District of the Texas Department of Transportation.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Work has begun to repair a bridge on State Highway 334 closed since Wednesday evening. The bridge, which spans a northern portion of Cedar Creek Lake, is located between Seven Points and Gun Barrel City in northwest Henderson County. Crews will be repairing a sheared bridge column, the damage to which forced the bridge’s closure on Wednesday evening.

TxDOT inspectors determined that the damage to the column, which is just above the waterline, was likely caused by being struck by a heavy boat or barge. TxDOT officials met with contractors Friday morning to discuss the work after an inspection by the department’s dive team indicated the bridge would have to remain closed until repairs could be made.

“We’re hoping that by Tuesday morning, the bridge is open to traffic,” said TxDOT spokesman Larry Krantz. “We don’t like having to close roads or bridges, but we’re not about to gamble with the public’s safety on our system.” A TxDOT incident hotline has been established for this closure to provide the latest information to the public. That number is 1-866-633-8106. Updated information will also be posted on TxDOT’s Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/TxDOT Videos posted on the site featuring the bridge inspection process and close-ups of the damage registered more than 1,500 hits overnight between Thursday evening and Friday morning.

TxDOT’s posted detour takes traffic north from Seven Points on SH 274 to Kemp, then south and east on US 175 to SH 198, then south on SH 198 to Gun Barrel City.

Also this week in Henderson County, TxDOT maintenance crews are scheduled to perform resurfacing operations on SH 315 between FM 279 north of Chandler and FM 314 south of Moore Station. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform seal coat operations on State Highway 135 between Jacksonville and Troup. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and traffic will be controlled by flaggers. Loose gravel may be present for several days following a seal coat application.

RUSK COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue several days of resurfacing operations in various locations along State Highway 43 between Henderson and Tatum. A second crew is scheduled to be at work on U.S. Highway 259 south of Kilgore performing shoulder work. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zone.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform base and pavement repair operations on Farm Road 751 in the northwest corner of the county between the Hunt County Line and FM 47 in Wills Point. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

WOOD COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform resurfacing operations on US 80 east of Mineola between Loop 564 and Farm Road 2422, and in various locations on U.S. Highway 80 in and around Hawkins. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zone.