The "Big Bore"

There's not much that's "boring" about this project. In fact, it's probably one of the more interesting projects in the Beaumont District.

The goal: Bore a 4000' tunnel approximately 135 feet under the Neches River from Jefferson County to Orange County. Once the 38" hole is completed, workers will place a steel pipe which will serve as a conduit to hold utilities that are currently on the Neches River Bridge (Veterans Purple Heart Memorial Bridge).

That's important because all the utilities need to be removed from the bridge before TxDOT can begin the process of rebuilding it in 2012.

The short and simple video above gives you a quick view as to the first stage of the project. We are currently working on a much longer production that will highlight the entire bore project...and show if the drilling crew hit their target in Orange County nearly a mile away.

Marc S.

The latest on Jasper's US 96

If Jasper has a "talk of the town', then US 96 is the city's hot topic.

TxDOT is wrapping up its project to rebuild and resurface the highway just north of the city limits to RR 255. So, why is it taking so long to get pavement and striping on the highway?

The main reason is the temperature and weather. Asphalt can only be laid at certain temperatures, around 50 degrees and rising. The word "rising" is key is all of this. One day of nice temperatures isn't enough for crews to start laying asphalt. They need longer periods of time. Of course, the weather doesn't always cooperate in Southeast Texas. the story is pretty much the same for striping.

The good news is that the contractor is about to wrap up the entire project. In fact, they hope to have it completed in a couple of weeks.

And that's good news to kick off your weekend.

Regards,
Marc S.

"X" marks the spot

It may not be the biggest project in the Beaumont District, but it's probably one of the most interesting.

Contractors are set to begin drilling a "tunnel" beneath the Neches River Bridge from Jefferson County to Orange County. The tunnel is really a "bore" project. The goal is place a 30" steel pipe under the Neches. The steel pipe will serve as a casing to hold utilities which currently are attached the bridge on I-10.

Starting from the Beaumont side, workers will drill a hole at the spot in the above photo. From there, they will drill 135' down under the Neches and 4000' across to the Orange County side of the river.

The process involves first drilling a small hole followed by a larger one. It will take approximately 16 days to bore from one side to the other.

So, what is the purpose? TxDOT needs to relocate all the utilities currently on the bridge so they can rebuild it in 2012.

The "boring" project is probably a first for the district, and, one of the most interesting.

Regards,
Marc S.

I-69 Advisory Committee Meets

Not to be confused with the proposed US 69 Corridor through Lumberton and Kountze, the proposed I-69 project is one of Texas' most important transportation improvement efforts.

The I-69 corridor is still in the very early stages. Advisory committees made up of local representatives are looking at the best way of converting much of US 59 to interstate standards to serve as the new I-69. However, much is still being planned with nothing solidified in stone...or should I say concrete.

The I-69 corridor would stretch from South Texas to Texarkana and would tie into the portions of the highway being developed by other states.

What's important to remember is that the project is not yet funded and environmental clearances would still need to be obtained.

For now, the I-69 Corridor is a series of maps with local entities and leaders developing the alignment.

Marc S.