Bridge rail improvements coming to local highways

Bridge rails may not be the hottest topic on the web. But imagine your daily commute without them; one mistake and you are in serious trouble.

Beginning in November, the Beaumont District is scheduled to begin upgrading bridge railing on approximately 11 bridges in the district. Various bridges in Jefferson, Liberty, Orange and Chambers Counties will be upgraded with newer...and safer...bridge railing.

It isn't that the old railing is unsafe. It simply means design standards have changed and it's time to refit those bridges with the new gear.

While there may be some periodic lane closures, don't expect any major traffic delays during the project. Odum Services, LP is the contractor for the approximately $816,000 job.

Regards,
Marc S

TxDOT to improve stretch of US 90

One of Liberty County’s heaviest traveled highways is about to be improved by the state’s transportation agency. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) says approximately 20 miles of US 90 will be repaired and resurfaced. TxDOT says the project also includes safety improvements.


“US 90 is a crucial highway connecting towns and communities in Liberty County,” said Tucker Ferguson, Beaumont District Engineer. “It is essential we keep this highway in good shape for motorists and industry.”

The project stretches from East Street in Liberty to approximately 1.3 miles west of the Jefferson County line. Work includes rebuilding the damaged road base, resurfacing and restriping. The contract also includes installing “rumble strips” in the center of the road. Rumble strips help reduce head-on collisions by alerting a driver when they are crossing the centerline.

Approximately 8000 vehicles travel the stretch of highway each day which makes its way through communities such as Devers, Raywood, Ames and Liberty.

Angel Brothers is the project contractor. Work on the $3.4 million project is expected to begin in early 2012.

The start of the interstate

Here's an interesting "film" you history buffs might find interesting.

Most do not know that the idea of our interstate system orginiated from Germany: WWII Germany, that is...

When the American army advanced into Germany towards the end of the war, soldiers discovered the German government had built one of the most elaborate and up-to-date highway systems ever imagined. American roads, at the time, were simply two way roads. In fact, prior to the war, Eisenhower had undertaken an endeavor to find a way to cross the US by vehicle. He soon realized our system of roads was completely inadequate. Imagine his surprise when troops started to pour into the heart of Germany.

Not only was he on the verge of ending a bloody way, Eisenhower had just discovered the answer to America's transportation problem.

It's not the best quality. However, the above video (film) was shot by a soldier while his group was making its way into the heart of Germany. It shows the German highway system...and what would be the pattern for the American interstate system.

Marc S.

New Speed Limit Update

Changing out the old night-time speed limit signs to reflect the new standard is a big job.  So big, TxDOT had to hire a contractor to remove the signs on thousands of miles of roadway throughout Texas.

The good news is that highway crews expect to have much of the interstate throughout the Beaumont District finished by late next week.

Batterson, the contractor responsible for removing the old signs, expects to have all of I-10 from the Harris County line to the Louisiana State line completed by next Wednesday. From there, the crews will work county by county on the various roadways with posted night-time speed limit signs. All impacted roadways in the district are expected to be completed by October 31st.

So what does that mean for you? Night-time speed limits ended September 1st.  Law enforcement agencies are not enforcing the night limits even though the signs are still up. However, once Batterson completes that job, work will begin performing speed studies to see which, if any, roads may go to a 75 mph speed limit.

Don't expect any quick changes to the 70 mph limit, though. Studies take some time to complete. And with 5500 lane miles of highway just in the Beaumont District, it will be quite a while before you see a 75 mph limit on a roadway near you.

Marc S.

TxDOT to improve stretch of FM 105

Travel FM 105 between SH 62 and SH 87 in Orange County?

If so, here is a project you'll appreciate. TxDOT is about to begin a project to add shoulders to about 4 miles of the highway. It also includes resurfacing the road and adding some safety features.

The $1.8 million project is scheduled to begin in late October and take about 10 months to complete.

We'll post more info as well as some photos soon.

Marc S.

Former PennDOT engineer appointed to head Beaumont District

The state’s transportation agency has selected Tucker Ferguson, P.E. as its newest district engineer. In his new position, which began September 1, Ferguson oversees all state transportation-related activities throughout the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) eight county Beaumont District.

“Southeast Texas’ infrastructure is extremely important for the economic development not only of the area, but for the rest of Texas”, said Ferguson, Beaumont District Engineer. “I’m looking forward to building strong relationships with industry leaders, elected officials and the public to make sure our highways remain among the best in the nation.”

Prior to his new position, Ferguson served as District Executive for Pennsylvania’s Engineering District 8-0 in Harrisburg, PA. There, he was responsible for managing, directing and administrating transportation efforts for eight counties. A 20-year PennDOT veteran, Ferguson has served in various positions including supervising statewide construction and maintenance operations. He previously worked in the Bureau of Highway Safety and Traffic Engineering as well as managing new technology.

A native of Altoona, PA, Ferguson graduated from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering Technology. A registered professional engineer, Ferguson has served on several AASHTO technical committees and task forces.

Ferguson will head all state maintenance and construction activities in Jefferson, Orange, Hardin, Jasper, Tyler, Newton, Liberty and Chambers Counties.

He and his wife Lisa have two sons, Adam and Zach.

About those speed limits....

The first of September, after a legislative session, usually kicks off with lots of new laws.

One of the most talked-about is the new speed limit laws and how they will affect you.  Starting today, a new law takes affect eliminating the 65 mph at night speed limit. Also, a new law takes affect giving TxDOT the ability to raise the limit on certain highways signed at 70 mph.

But don't start putting the pedal to the floor just yet.  Cool your jets.

First, the night-time speed limits.... With thousands of such signs on highways across the district and state, it will be some time before all of the signs are removed. It's just not possible to remove all of the signs one minute after midnight. So, TxDOT has hired a contractor to remove those signs beginning the middle of September. Are those signs still enforceable? Well, not really. However, I wouldn't take my chances with someone just itching to write you a ticket for the sake of giving you a hard time. Of course, most, if not all law enforcement agencies know about the new law and the fact a ticket probably wouldn't stick.  I'll leave that up to you, your lawyer and the judge.

Now, the 75 mph issue..   What's important to know is that it's just a possibility and not automatic. Over the course of the next year, the same contractor will begin doing speed limit studies on highways to determine IF the speed limit should change to 75.  They will take into account several things such as the design of the highway and the speed of motorists. From there, they will determine whether or not the speed should remain what it currently is, be raised to 75 mph, or lowered to a new speed.

So, some friendly advice: drive the posted limit and you won't have anything to worry about. Just keep your eyes out for any new speed limits...and for those drivers who don't know the difference.

Marc S