New law affects 18-24 year old license applicants

If you are between 18 and 24 years old, there's a new state law you really want to pay attention to.

Beginning March 1 (Monday), driver license applicants between 18-24 years old must complete an approved driver's ed course and a driving skills test to get their license. If you fall into that category, make sure to bring along a certificate proving you successfully completed a driver's ed course.

The good news is that you won't have to submit to a written highway signs and traffic laws test if you bring proof you passed the course. However, you still have to pass the driving skills exam.

And if you are 15-17 years old? Sorry, but, you are still required to complete a driver's ed course to be licensed.

For more information, visit: http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/director_staff/public_information/pr022510a.pdf

Happy and safe driving.
Marc S.

Top 100 most-congested cities

Our little slice of Southeast Texas "heaven" managed to stay off the top 100 list. Thank goodness!

A recent study by the Federal Highway Administration ranks Houston as being the 6th most congested city in the nation in terms of traffic congestion. Dallas was #5 with Los Angeles taking top spot. (Those Californians like to be first in everything.)

The latest rankings can be found at www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-02-22-inside-congestion_N.htm#table

Meanwhile, another report shows the nation's driving decline has stopped and is now in reverse. More and more people are starting to hit the roadways after a dropping off for a couple of years.

Happy (and congestion-free) driving,
Marc S

Mapping out Beaumont's past

Things sure have changed in the last 70 or so years. This old map shows just how much the City of Beaumont has changed since 1942.

US 69/96 was the main route as was US 90. Fourth Street dead ended at Calder and 11th street was actually part of US 69. Since then, the interstate has taken over portions of that highway. But, with a population of just 59,000, there just wasn't much traffic. Today, I-10 at Liberty-Laurel sees more than 120,000 vehicles every day while sections of US-69 hit the 70,000 mark.

Of course, this was all WAY before my time. But some of you old-timers may remember those routes on your way to school....barefoot...in the snow...uphill both ways.

Happy Driving,
Marc S

More Neches River Bridge Work

More work on the Neches River Bridge beginning tomorrow (Wednesday).

State maintenance crews will make repairs to the bridge's riding surface, or bridge deck, that will cause some delays for those of you who travel eastbound I-10 to Orange County.

Beginning at 9 a.m., workers will close the center eastbound lane of the bridge. The right and left lanes of the bridge will remain open. Also, crews have set up the work zone to allow the eastbound entrance ramp to I-10 from downtown Beaumont to remain open all the way to the other side of the river. This should help reduce some congestion.

We're not going to try and sugarcoat it, though. Expect some long delays throughout the day going eastbound. You might want to find another route through the Beaumont Area. SH 73/SH 87 through Port Arthur and Orange is one way you might consider taking. Westbound traffic shouldn't have any problems.

Why work during the day? It's a matter of temperature. Temperatures at night are too cold for the concrete to quickly cure. Even using quick-setting concrete, we're expecting it to take about 4-6 hours to cure. Quicker-setting concrete is too brittle and breaks apart pretty soon after traffic hits it.

Again, there isn't any danger of the bridge collapsing or cars going through a hole on the bridge. It's a matter of repairing damaged concrete before it gets to be a bigger problem.

Workers expect to be off the roadway by 9 p.m.

Drive safe and watch out for stopped cars.

Marc S.

Icy Roads?

Ice and snow; who would have thought we might be seeing another round in Southeast Texas?

While the Golden Triangle probably won't see any of it, or at least hardly any of it, our neighbors to the north in Jasper, Newton, and Tyler County might see some slippery overpasses and bridges. TxDOT crews are ready to "rock and roll" in case bridges start to ice up.

Crews spread a thin layer of rock at the first sign of freezing on a bridge or overpass. TxDOT's Beaumont District doesn't use sand or salt. Instead, we use a thin layer of rock that breaks apart and helps shatter the ice. It's a game of timing; put the rock on the overpass too soon and it's blown away by vehicles. Put it on too late, and it's pointless.

And with more than 1400 overpasses and bridges in our district, it's a tough and tiresome job. And a word of warning. If you see a TxDOT truck spreading rock, SLOW DOWN. It's guaranteed to have ice on the bridge or overpass. And the last thing you want to do is slide into a dump truck spreading rock.

Safe Driving,
Marc S.

Transportation Commission to come to Beaumont District

The state's leading transportation decision-making body is making a pit stop right here in the Golden Triangle.

In April, the Texas Transportation Commission will hold its monthly meeting in Beaumont. The meeting is open to the public and gives local Texans the chance to be involved in the transportation issues facing Texas.

The five-member commission oversees the direction of the department and is the final decision authority for transportation-related projects. No, we don't expect most people in Southeast Texas to cancel their vacations to attend the April 29th meeting. However, the meeting gives local industry, business leaders, lawmakers, elected officials, transportation planning groups, and ordinary citizens the chance to make their voices heard to the most important transportation decision-making group in Texas.

"This is a great opportunity for Southeast Texas to share the many transportation opportunities and challenges faced in this region," said Randy Redmond, Beaumont District Engineer. "We have a widely diverse multi-modal network which includes heavy uses of roadway, rail, water and air. Efficient ingress and egress into the ports and refineries not only support the economic vitality of the area but that of the Nation. Local leaders are encouraged to come hear about the today's funding challenges and to visit with the decision makers to help pave the path of Texas' transportation future."

This isn't the first time the commission has visited the area. In the mid-90's, the commission held its meeting while David Bernsen served as chairman. Bernsen's dedication and loyalty to Southeast Texas brought millions of dollars worth of improvements to cities and communities across the eight-county district.

We'll post more details as to times and locations as they are finalized.

Happy driving,
Marc S