Memorial Day travel

Look for lots of traffic on highways across the Lone Star State.

With Memorial Day comes more people hitting road to visit, travel, or go to the beach.

A few things to remember:

1. More traffic means you probably need to hit the road earlier. Watch out for the other guy and don't get impatient.

2. Buckle Up! Troopers and law enforcement will be watching for people not wearing seatbelts. That means EVERYBODY in the car. Not wearing a seatbelt could cost you $250.

3. Watch out for young drivers. More young drivers are killed durinng the summer months than any other time of the year. Stands to reason. After all, school is out and they're on the road.

Enjoy the holiday and be safe.

Marc S.

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Buckle up!
Safety belts and child safety seats save lives, prevent injuries,
and can also keep you from getting a ticket.
Click It or Ticket

Getting the word out

TxDOT's effort to replace the I-10 Neches River Bridge in Beaumont is still a couple of years away. However, we're not wasting any time trying to come up with the best way to get you information concerning the upcoming project.

We want to get you up-to-date information concerning lane closures, project status and other useful information and facts concerning the bridge project. We're also looking at ways to post your questions.

So, how would you like it served?

Facebook, Blogs, Twitter are just some of the ways we're looking at getting out the word. Make sure to take our poll at the top right of the site. Tell us how you would prefer us getting you information.

Marc S.

Striping Mess

Sometimes, it's the little things that get you.

Take, for instance, road striping. Any highway without those white or yellow strips just isn't complete. However, some area highways in Southeast Texas may have to wait a while before seeing any new striping. Thanks to a nationwide paint shortage, contractors are having a very tough time finding paint. It could not have come at a worse time.

Springtime is when highway crews hit the roadways to perform all types of maintenance work including resurfacing. In fact, the district-wide seal coat project is underway in the district. This involves placing a thin coat of oil on the roadway followed by rock and striping. But with the paint problem, TxDOT and other state highway agencies across the country are scrambling to find ways of marking the highway.

So why a shortage? Apparently, there's not enough of a key ingredient needed for highway-quality paint. This, and economic factors have forced companies that supply highway paint to lower their production.

In the meantime, TxDOT engineers are working to come up with temporary solutions. Some include using temporary raised markings, and, striping the center lane of the highway and leaving the shoulders for another time.

Marc S.

Texas "on track" with rail

Most people know TxDOT for building highways. However, few realize how TxDOT is becoming more involved in both passenger and freight rail.

While the department doesn't oversee rail operations, it is taking a more proactive approach in planning the future of transportation in terms of railroads. Hence, the Texas Rail Plan.

TxDOT's Rail Division is holding a series of workshops across the state looking into how rail will be used in moving people and goods across the state of Texas. While coal, grain and chemicals make up most of what is carried on tracks crossing Texas, many see passenger rail as being a viable solution to meeting the state's transportation needs in the years to come.

The seven workshops, being held across the state, focus on all aspects of rail transportation including the joint use of freight rail corridors by passenger trains, and rail funding issues.

Considering Washington's $9 billion vision to build high-speed rail tracks across the nation, railroad planning is big news. And while Texas received a very small share of that money, being ready in the event more funds come to Texas may put the Lone Star State on the "fast-track" to moving people across the state in ways few have ever imagined.

Stay tuned for more info.
Marc S.

Got solutions?

TxDOT is looking for your ideas, thoughts and opinions in developing our area's transportation plan.

On Thursday (May 13), TxDOT and transportation representatives will hold an “Open House” style public meeting. The event takes place from 4-7 p.m. at the South East Texas Regional Planning Commission building located at 2210 Eastex Freeway in Beaumont.

During the three-hour meeting, attendees can watch a video concerning transportation needs and make written comments and suggestions to improve the way the state’s transportation system is planned. No oral comments will be taken at the meeting.

The information gathered at the meeting will help in the development of the Statewide Long-Range Transportation Plan 2035. The plan addresses all modes of transportation including roadways, pedestrian and bicycle facilities, transit, freight rail, passenger rail, airports, water ports, pipelines, and Intelligent Transportation Systems.

Stop by and visit, give us your ideas, and get involved in planning your future.

Happy driving,
Marc S.

New I-10 project set to begin today

Yes, another interstate improvement project is coming through Orange County. While highway construction seems to continually grind on, especially on I-10, consider the alternative of letting your highway go to pieces.

Beginning today, Williams Brothers Construction Company will rebuild the interstate between SH 62 and Adams Bayou. The project includes replacing the FM 3247 (MLK) and Womack Road overpasses. Workers will also rebuild the interstate, raising it approximately 4 feet. Because of air quality issues, it will remain a four-lane interstate. However, we are building the project (including the overpasses) in a way that allows for easy and relatively inexpensive widening to six-lanes.

Now for the big question: How will this affect you and your commute? Don't expect very many lane closures during the project. Any lane closures will take place at night from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m..

The biggest inconvienence will be when workers remove and replace the FM 3247 bridge. During that phase of the project (which is one of the first steps of the entire project) motorists will have to use the Womack and Adams Bayou turnarounds. However, the detours are relatively short. As for the Womack overpass construction, the turnarounds will remain open.

The $38 million project is being funded through economic stimulus funding. Williams Brothers expects the project to be completed in about three years. Once completed, the only portion of I-10 through Orange County left to reconstruct will be from Adams Bayou to the state line. However, that section hasn't been funded.

Safe Driving,
Marc S.

So just what is the future of transportation in the Beaumont District and all of Southeast Texas?

Check out our latest video looking at the role transportation plays in the district and how industry relies on a solid highway system. (This video was shown at the Texas Transportation Commission Meeting held in Beaumont in April).

Marc S