Railroad to temporarily close another crossing

More railroad work coming to a community near you. This time it's the City of Kountze.

Beginning Saturday evening (August 1), railroad workers will temporarily close the crossing on US 69 through Kountze. Railroad workers will repair the tracks while TxDOT crews will improve the road surface up to the tracks. The work begins around 6 p.m. and is expected to be complete by 8 a.m. Sunday.

Those of you in light cars and trucks shouldn't have any problems following the detours. You'll use a couple of side streets. However, those driving large rigs will have a bit of a problem. Your detour will take you out of the way along FM 1293. That's simply because there's no side street large enough to handle 18-wheelers.

The good news is that it's an overnight closure. Therefore, there shouldn't be too much traffic, especially heavy truck traffic.

Drive Safe.
Marc S.

Old Pic Answers

Lots of interest in the old picture we recently posted. The correct answer for the above photo is the old Travel Information Center in Orange. It served a long tenure. Today, the new Travel Information Center on I-10 in Orange handles a lot more traffic in a more modern way.

Thanks to the following people for sending their answers:

Harry S.
Terry C.
Dee O.
Beverly W.
Alvin S.
Cynthia G.
Henry B.


Happy Driving.
Marc S

Easing Congestion on US 69

Solving the congestion problem on US 69 through Lumberton is a topic we have previously discussed on The Center Lane. In fact, it's an issue TxDOT officials have been trying to tackle for a number of years.

Without going into all the details, the stretch of US 69 through Lumberton has severe congestion during the morning and rush-hour traffic. The obvious solution is to widen the the highway to a 5-lane highway with a left center turn lane. TxDOT does a plan to do just that on the stretch between FM 421 and Beaumont Colony Drive. The only problem is there isn't any money to build it.

Therefore, the department did some major tweaking to the traffic signals along the highway. It looks as if it has helped ease some of that congestion.

The department is also looking at possibly restriping the highway using what is already out there. A couple of years ago, TxDOT engineers looked at restriping the highway. While it's possible to do so, there are several problems and consequences that come with it.

First, the highway would have much narrower lanes. There simply isn't enough room to have four standard-width lanes using the existing pavement. Second, since restriping the highway would utilize the shoulder, and there are narrow ditches on either side of the highway, TxDOT would have to seek design exceptions. Essentially, it would not be designed in a way that meets all design standards. Finally, restriping the highway could virtually kill any attempts to come back at a later time and widen the highway based on original plans awaiting funding.

If TxDOT does decide to restripe the highway to four lanes, it would still be some time before you would see it take place. Public involvement is a must. Also, since adding extra lanes is considered "added capacity", the department would have to get the environmental green light.

We'll keep you updated.

Happy Driving
Marc S

So, just how does one get a traffic signal?

It's one of the most common requests we receive at TxDOT. It's also one of the most misunderstood policies within the department. In fact, traffic engineers have one of the most demanding and toughest jobs in the department. It's a job requiring investigative skills and the ability to look into the future.

Determining when, where and why to place a signal isn't an easy job. It requires lots of engineering and thought. And even if an intersection qualifies for a signal, there are often consequences that could cause even bigger problems.

When the department receives a request for a signal, engineers perform a study of the intersection. In order for the intersection to qualify for a signal, it must meet at least one of eight warrants (or scientific reasons) outlined in the Texas Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). Some of those warrants include:

If the intersection meets a warrant, the traffic engineer must determine if a signal is the best way to control traffic. They do this by evaluating traffic and pedestrian flow. However, they also must consider the layout of the intersection as well as how peak-hour traffic would be affected, future highway construction plans, and the type of crashes which may occur at the intersection.

Placing an unwarranted signal can have serious consequences. Having a signal that doesn't meet a warrant can actually increase the number of wrecks, including rear-ending collisions.

Also, a signal may be denied even if it meets warrants. For instance, placing a signal at an intersection immediately after a sharp curve with a limited view may create a dangerous situation which could cost lives.

Finally, determining if a signal should be installed sometimes comes down to the engineer's judgement. Often, there are other ways to solve a problem than simply installing a signal. For instance, more law enforcement presence at specific times of the day, increased public awareness, improving visibility, installing stop signs or pavement markings can solve the problem without installing a signal.

The next time you are stopped at a signal on the Texas highway system, remember there was a lot of thought that was put into whether to place that signal. Building an maintaining the highway system isn't an easy job.

Happy Driving,
Marc S

Pic of the week

Here's a photo for you really old timers. If you know that answer, email me at mshephe@dot.state.tx.us

Happy Driving.

Marc S

Where it all began

Every now and then you run across an old photo that makes you put it all into perspective.

In Texas, and the rest of the US, we like to think we have a state-of-the-art highway system. And we do. However, the wise man named Solomon said there isn't anything "new under the sun.". Hence, the picture above.

This photo was taken prior to World Way II. It's part of Germany's transportation system which was used as the foundation for our interstate system. While some things have changed in the past 70 or so years, some things remain the same. Notice the wide lanes with nice exit and entrance ramps? There are still some highways in S.E. Texas that have much sharper exit ramps.

I have some more historic photos of local and European highways that I'll post at a later date.

In the meantime, happy and safe driving.
Marc S

Hurricane Ike...It still ain't over

It's been a while since Ike stormed ashore wiping out Bridge City and flooding Galveston. As most people are rebuilding, believe it or not, the cleanup from Ike continues in many out-of-sight, out-of-mind places.

One of those places is Chambers County. Mountains of debris dot the pastures and rice fields of the county as contract workers pick up tons of debris. The project is being overseen by TxDOT at a total cost of more than $10 million

That's big money for a big cleanup problem. After all, Ike's massive storm surge scattered homes and dumped marshgrass over a very large area. Now, crews in trackhoes, backhoes, and every other kind of machine you can think of, are fanned out across Chambers County stacking up debris for removal.

Approximately nine months after the storm, some places in Chambers County look as if the storm hit yesterday. Homes are abandoned. Some are nothing but a slab with some items from a former life scattered across fields. Others, meanwhile, are rebuilding.

The cleanup process is slow. Ike's surge pushed a wall of water over a large part of the county. Hopefully, cleaning up the debris will put a spark of life back into some of those places where many have appeared to give up.


Marc S

Silsbee Crossing to Temporarily Close

If you're traveling through downtown Silsbee this weekend, you may want to prepare for a bit of extra travel time.

Work crews with BNSF Railroad will temporarily close their crossing on Business US 90 overnight on July 11. Workers will make repairs to the crossing beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday. They expect to have the highway reopened by 6:00 Sunday morning. TxDOT crews will assist in traffic control and also make some minor repairs to the roadway leading up to the crossing.

Happy driving.
Marc S

Pic of the Week

Here's one from the days when film had barely been invented. See if you can guess the location. Have a great 4th of July weekend.