Taking kinks out of Concord

At TxDOT, we strive to keep our roadways safe for drivers, and we’re pleased to announce one popular Beaumont road known for its rough and bumpy surface and sharp curves is now in the process of receiving a much needed makeover.

The portion of Concord Rd. between TX-105 and Lucas is being reconstructed into a safer, wider and straighter roadway. The new road will feature five lanes, curbs and gutters, and will not require drivers to take the extremely sharp curve in front of the Sienna Apartments. Instead of the sharp curve, a curved roadway to be named Concord Loop will be taking its place allowing residents to have access to the apartment complex. Land behind Toys R Us, purchased by the City of Beaumont, will allow Concord to be a straighter structure onto which Concord Loop will connect to.

The reconstruction will include two phases. During the first phase, two and a half lanes will be fully constructed. During the second phase, the other two and a half lanes will be constructed and drivers will be able to start using the safer roadway created during phase one. Full access to Concord will be available throughout both phases of construction.

Skinny Jeans...Skinny Tires

First it was skinny models. Then came skinny jeans. But skinny TIRES?

An Italian company figures if skinny is the latest fashion trend, then why not incorporate it in tire design. Of course, there's a bit more to the reasoning. One that could help save you some money...and a bit of highway noise.

Check out the article at: www.foxnews.com/leisure/2013/03/25/tall-and-skinny-tires-next-big-thing/?intcmp=features


Marc S.

Neches River Bridge lane changes

Big changes at the Neches River tonight and this weekend.

Yes, the "Big Shift" is about to take place. Contract bridge crews are preparing for this weekend’s traffic switch on the Neches River bridge (Purple Heart Memorial). The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) says crews will begin the process of shifting eastbound traffic to the westbound bridge this evening at 9 p.m.

The process is expected to take two days, stretching into the weekend. Tonight’s lane closures will impact east and westbound motorists. You can expect alternating lane closures beginning tonight and lasting throughout the weekend and into Sunday evening. Workers will also close the downtown entrance ramp to eastbound I-10 to build a slight detour. Motorists can also expect delays throughout the weekend.

All lanes, including the downtown ramp, are expected to be reopen by Sunday evening. Once reopened, eastbound and westbound will share the westbound bridge with two lanes for eastbound traffic and two lanes for westbound traffic. Workers will then begin the year-long process of rebuilding the eastbound bridge.

The closure is part of the TxDOT's $59 million project to rebuild the bridge at the Neches River. Williams Brothers, the project contractor, expects to complete the project in mid-2015.

Marc S.

The "Big Shift"

It's the news many of you have been waiting for concerning the Neches River Bridge, AKA Purple Heart Memorial.

Yes, the "Big Shift" is about to take place. No, it probably will not be as painful as some are expecting.

Beginning this weekend, weather permitting, workers will begin the final stages of preparing for the traffic shift on the bridge.  That final shift of traffic will take place in about a week. That means that next weekend, all eastbound traffic will be shifted to the westbound bridge. When it's all said and done, the westbound bridge will handle four lanes of traffic: two going east and two going west. 

Beginning Sunday night, workers will have traffic on the westbound lanes reduced to one lane. The closure should be completed by 5 a.m., long before rush-hour traffic. However, beginning later in the week, workers will begin the process of restriping and shifting traffic. Much will take place at night. However, some day work on Saturday and Sunday of next week will take place.

How will the shift impact your travel? East and westbound have, in fact, been reduced to two lanes in each direction for some time. Eastbound was reduced to two lanes late last year. Westbound traffic saw lanes reduced to two lanes about two months ago. So, in terms of long-range closings, not much will change. We will keep you posted.

Marc S.

How we get around....

Ever wondered how people get around?

A study by the U.S. Census shows how many people commute in four of the largest cities in the nation. Not really surprising. Houston tops the list in people who drive alone vs. commute.

While we are not Houston, the probabilities are that we reflect pretty much the same feeling toward our vehicles...and maybe time alone in our vehicles to just drive and think.

Marc S.

Neches River Bridge..LIVE!

Here's an easy way to check how traffic is flowing across the Neches River Bridge (Purple Heart Memorial Bridge) on I-10 in Beaumont.

Check out the "real-time" cameras covering parts of the bridge. You can find it here:

http://traffic.houstontranstar.org/layers/layers.aspx?mapname=region_east&inc=true&rc=true

A couple of things.  First, make sure to move the map to the east until you get to the Beaumont area. Second, make sure the "Camera" box is activated on the menu to the right of the map. The ones with a blue dot show "real-time" traffic flow. Others are static cameras updated every minute or so. 

It's not HD, but it gives you a good idea as to what is taking place on the bridge.  And that is going to play a big role when the eastbound lanes go through the process of being rebuilt in about a month.

Marc S

Best of 2012...and beyond!

What would the end of the year be without a "Top 4" list?  And what would a "Top 4" list be without any Southeast Texas transportation projects?

Concrete and asphalt play a major role in everyone's life. Southeast Texas saw some major transportation initiatives in 2012. Whether a major reconstruction project or a simple resurfacing of a farm-to-market road, they are improvements designed to make life a bit easier.

The top projects of 2012 include:

SH 82.  It is not a big highway. However, it is one of the most important roads in Southeast Texas, linking major refineries and plants.  TxDOT is nearing completion on rebuilding a two-mile stretch between SH 73 and SH 87. Work also includes replacing the Alligator Bayou Bridge.  Work is expected to be completed this spring.

SH 105 Cleveland Loop. Traveling SH 105 is now much easier. The new loop around the southern part of Cleveland opened this fall. It helps eliminates truck and thru-traffic through the city and means a much quicker travel time through Cleveland and the opportunity to develop the downtown area.

Concord Road
While no dirt is turning, the Concord Road project is officially underway. It includes completely rebuilding Concord between Lucas and Eastex Freeway. The widening project, paid for with federal funds, and in reality a City of Beaumont initiative, will complete a major route between Eastex and Cardinal Drive. The city is currently moving the final utilities before construction crews begin work. Look for highway crews early this spring.

Neches River Bridge
The biggest project of 2012? It most definitely has to be the Neches River bridge (Purple Heart Memorial bridge). The $59 million project to rebuild one of the most popular bridges in the Golden Triangle is in the early stages. In just a couple of weeks, traffic all east and westbound traffic will be switched to the north side of the bridge. Workers will then close the eastbound lanes and begin demolishing the old structure. There will always be two lanes east and two lanes westbound.

The New Year also promises some new projects sure to have an impact on the area's highway system.  They include:

Completion of the I-10 project in Orange County between SH 62 and Womack Adams Bayou. The project is in its final stages and includes a new concrete highway and exit ramps.

Rebuilding I-10 in Orange County between Adams Bayou and the state line. This section of interstate is one of the oldest in Texas. The new project will rebuild the entire highway including a new frontage road crossing the railroad tracks just east of SH 87. Work could begin in early summer.

Perhaps the most important project in Southeast Texas might be the effort to improve the Eastex Freeway at Delaware and Lucas. This project includes relocating some entrance and exit ramps, extending frontage roads and preparing US 69 for even more improvements. This project kicks off in mid-2013.

While these are fairly significant projects, they may not be the most important. It isn't necessarily the price or the size of project. It may not even be about how many motorists it impacts. The most important project might be the simple resurfacing of a small rural road, new shoulders or even a traffic signal.

The most important project is the one that affects you and makes your daily travels safer.