Cleveland loop in 2nd phase

The second phase of the Cleveland loop is under construction. If you live in the City of Cleveland, we don't have to convince you of its importance. And if you don't live in the area, then take a trip through downtown. You'll be a convert.

Our latest video looks at the loops progress. Click on the video and check out the latest in one of Liberty County's most important transportation projects.

Happy driving,
Marc S.

"Loud" highways could save a few bucks

Departments of transportation around the nation are scrambling for ways to save money. TxDOT is no exception.

Let's face it: building roads and highways is expensive. In fact, it can be very expensive, especially when you factor in overpasses, interchanges and bridges. Heavier trucks and over-sized loads are taking a toll on pavements. Inflation is taking a toll on steel, concrete and just about every other type of building materials. So, just what is a department of transportation to do?

Part of the answer may be in oil and big rocks.

Everyone, including highway engineers and designers, like a really smooth and quiet highway. There's nothing better than the sight of a lay-down machine and the smell of fresh asphalt on a highway project. But those days are becoming few and far between. So, the Beaumont District is looking at resurfacing some of our major highways with seal-coat.

Seal-coating simply involves making repairs to the road, shooting a layer of oil and then spreading and pressing rock into the oil. It's really quite simple and more cost-effective than placing asphalt on the highway. This means more highways can be repaired at a lower cost. In fact, most of our farm-to-market roads have a type of seal-coat surface. However, there is a trade-off. Seat-coat roads have a rougher ride. They're also a bit noisy.

The district has already put a seal coat on at least a couple of prominent highways in the district. For instance, SH 73 between Winnie and Port Arthur was recently resurfaced using a seal-coat. Another one was the stretch of US 90 between China and Beaumont. The volume of traffic along these roads means the department uses a different type of rock than what is typically used on the farm-to-market road system. However, the concept is pretty much the same.

Yes, the ride is a bit louder and not quite as smooth. But it's about stretching those limited funds to put more pavements on the roadway and maintain what we have. In fact, practically all of our future highway funding will be dedicated to maintenance.

Does that mean all highways will see a seal-coated surface? No. We'll still put down new and smooth asphalt on many roadways. It's just that now, engineers and designers are being a bit more scrutinizing on the highways they will resurface with asphalt and those they will resurface with asphalt.

Happy driving,
Marc S.
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Slow economy, Big savings

The slowdown in the economy is zapping the juice out of businesses and industry across the nation. However, believe it or not, there might be a silver-lining in all of this. Taxpayers appear to be getting a bigger bang for their hard-earned dollars.

Highway contractors are bidding projects low. So low, they are actually coming in under the state's estimated bid cost. Take the Beaumont District's recent 10 projects that went to bid. Of those projects, only two were over the estimated cost. Consider the following projects:


Underruns

Jasper County
Rebuild bridge at CR 443 and Everett Creek
Estimated cost: $277,414
Actual bid: $269,609

Jasper County
Rebuild section of Forest Highway 335
Estimated cost: $51,677
Actual bid: $46,798

Jefferson County
Install turn lane on portion of SH 124
Estimated cost: $284,310
Actual bid: $267,996

Jefferson County
Safety treat fixed objects
Estimated cost: $211,420
Actual bid: $197,663

Liberty County
Replace bridge at CR 2132 and Field Branch
Estimated cost: $344,335
Actual bid: $321,703

Liberty County
Replace bridge at CR 615 and Drain Ditch
Estimated cost: $150,392
Actual bid: $126,641

Liberty County
Rebuild section of FM 686
Estimated cost: $999,490
Actual bid: $863,812

Orange County
Relocate communication lines on Neches River Bridge
Estimated cost: $6,766,235
Actual bid: $3,988,832


Overruns

Chambers County
Rebuild portion of FM 1942
Estimated cost: $806,098
Actual bid: $810,566

Newton County
Safety treat fixed objects
Estimated cost: $1,565,470
Actual bid: $1,742,072

When you put the numbers to it, taxpayers "saved" a little over $3 million. That's money that will go toward other projects across the state.

Why the low bids?  In some cases, they are new types of projects in which few contractors have ever done. So, it's a bit hard for TxDOT and the contractor to gauge the costs 100%.  However, the economic downturn has apparently forced some contractors to give low bids, despite a loss, just to stay in business.

Of course, the best would be that the economy recovers and America gets back to work in a strong economy. In the meantime, TxDOT and taxpayers can enjoy for highway work at a reduced cost.

And that's some good news in tough economic times.

Safe Driving,
Marc S.

US 69 Public Meeting

Believe it or not, TxDOT is getting close to making a section of US 69 to a 5-lane highway.

However, it's a project with a bit of a twist.

The department has wanted to widen the highway to five lanes for a few years. However, doing it the standard way means buying the needed property and rebuilding the drainage. It's expensive and time consuming. And with a major highway funding problems, the project would take a number of years before it would even begin.

The problem, is that people driving through Lumberton can't wait any longer. Traffic is getting more and more congested. The city is expanding, and more people are moving into the area.

So, TxDOT is going to do something a bit different. Instead of widening the highway, TxDOT is drawing up a plan to restrip the existing pavement. That means the stretch between SH 421 and Walden Road would become a 5-lane highway with a left-center turn lane.

Restriping the highway means motorists would lose a shoulder. Also, the travel lanes would be a bit narrower due to the limited right-of-way (property) available. Remember: we have to use what we already have available.

To find out more about the project, make sure to attend a public meeting scheduled for Thursday, July 15. It will be held at the Lumberton Intermediate School cafeteria from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. TxDOT engineers and other employees will be available to answer any of your questions and give you a bit more information as to how the project will work.

It's your chance to be heard and to get some information.

Happy motoring,
Marc S.

MLK Bridge restoration

One of the area's oldest bridges is about to go through a rigorous revitalization.

The MLK Bridge in Port Arthur will soon be completely "repainted". Work is scheduled to begin the Fall.

Calling it a "repainting" project really does it an injustice. It's really much more than that. The bridge connecting Pleasure Island to the "mainland" was built by Jefferson County and taken over the the state in the early 60's. It's seen quite a bit of service. But, just like your house, it's time to do some serious maintenance.

TxDOT will spend about $13 million to rehabilitate the bridge. The price tag includes removing (and containing) all the paint/rust and putting several coats of paint. $13 million is a lot of money. However, think about the cost of a new bridge. Building a new structure which allows for large ship traffic would cost about $100 million. That's quite a chunk of change.

The project is scheduled to go up for bids in August with work kicking off this Fall.

Safe Driving,
Marc S.

I-10 in HD!

The portion of I-10 at SH 12 is near completion. And what a better what to celebrate it with a short video...in High Definition! Okay, well, maybe there is a better way.

Workers are putting the finishing touches on the section between North Dewitt Road and the KCS Overpass. The $60 million project if set to wrap up in a couple of weeks. It's a far improvement from what was there before. For those of you who travel through Vidor on a regular basis, I think you'd agree it handles traffic much better than the old design. But then again, the old road was build to handle 1950's traffic.

The short video shows you some of the interchange with SH 12 as well as the interchange with Tram Road and FM 105. No narration or music. Just a quick video showing some of the highlights.

Look for more HD videos explaining different highway projects in the Beaumont District. Let us know if you have an idea for a video.

Drive Safe,
Marc S.

It's not a bad as you might think...

You just THINK you have it bad.

Being stuck in congestion, whether in Houston or Lumberton, is frustrating. But when you put it into perspective, we really have it good. Consider the following:

According to an article by The Car Connection, Mexico City and Beijing have the most "painful" commutes of any other cities in the world. In fact, a recent report shows the traffic situation in those cities as being a "health hazard".

The findings are from a study performed by the technology giant, IBM. A study of 8000 motorists in 20 countries shows we in the United States have it pretty good when compared to other nations. Looking at factors such as commute times, stress and cancelled trips, Mexico City and Beijing scored a 99 out of 100. Other cities, such as New Delhi and Johannesburg were close followers. European cities took up the middle.

As for the United States? Well, only one city broke a twenty: Los Angeles. Houston made the list with a 19.

Sorry, our neck of the woods didn't even register.

As for the worst traffic jam, Moscow takes top honors. The average driver in Moscow is often delayed for up to 2.5 hours.

Life really is pretty good in Southeast Texas.

Drive Safe,
Marc S

Soggy...but open

Officials have reopend SH 87 between SH 124 and Rollover in Galveston County.

Westbound lanes are open. However, the eastbound lanes still have water. So, police will escort drivers through the eastbound lanes.

Enjoy your 4th,
Marc S.

Soggy SH 87

Just in time for the 4th of July....

Unfortunately, Hurricane Alex's effect on SH 87 isn't a good one. The tide is 4 to 5 feet higher than normal and that means state officials have had to close SH 87 between SH 124 and Rollover Pass. The latest estimate is that the road will stay closed until Saturday.

Hurricane Ike washed away much of the beach in the area. Now, higher-than-normal tides take on a whole new meaning in that part of Galveston County.

DPS troopers will make the call as to when it's safe for travel. We'll keep you updated as to when the highway will reopen.

Drive Safe.
Marc S

How to avoid every traffic jam

Tired of being stuck in traffic? Looking for an easy way around highway construction? Well, there's a solution.

Coming to a dealership somewhere near you is the flying car.

Yes, straight out of the Jetsons comes a whole new definition of 'hybrid'. The Terrafugia is a flying car with the ability to fly more than 500 miles on a tank of unleaded. As a car, it goes up to 90 mph. The wings fold up into the vehicle when used on the street. Hit a button or two and the wings fold out and you're ready to hit the flight deck.

Of course, it will probably be some time before every home in America has one in their two-car (or two-airplane) garage. But the thought of getting out of that two-hour traffic jam, at least for those who can afford one of these flying autos, is now about to be a reality.

Times have changed!

Happy flying..
Marc S