Flood Repairs, I-35 Top New Projects List
Another step toward improving traffic flow along the Interstate 35 corridor has been approved, as well as other important maintenance and safety work
AUSTIN – The Texas Transportation Commission recently awarded contracts for nine projects to improve and maintain roads across six counties.
The heavy rains over the past six months have been beneficial, but did result in damage to some highways. The Memorial Day floods affected a number of highways.
Now, Dan Williams Co. will work on improving drainage at locations on US 77, SH 21, SH 95, FM 141, FM 180, FM 812 and FM 1441 in Bastrop and Lee counties. The $1.5 million contract is expected to last about eight months.
Flat Iron Constructors, Inc. of Austin will tackle a bridge replacement project at the I-35 at FM 3406 overpass in Round Rock. Crews will widen the bridge to accommodate additional lanes, as well as build U-turn bridges in both directions. Construction on the $12.4 million project is due to start in the spring and is expected to take two years to complete.
On RM 1431, Lane Construction Corp. won a $12.8 million contract to widen the highway to three lanes in each direction with a median. The 1.8-mile long project between Williamson County Road 185/Cottonwood Creek Trail and Market Street will match the lane alignments at either end. The work will take about 18 months to complete and is expected to start in the next few months.
Also on RM 1431 in Williamson County and on SH 71 in Burnet County, Lone Star Paving will resurface sections of the highways. The RM 1431 work will be between RM 1980 and Phillips Ranch Road, while the SH 71 job is between the Llano County line and Flat Rock Creek. The resurfacing will cover 6.4 miles at a cost of $1.4 million.
Warmer weather next spring will see resurfacing and safety work on SH 142 in Caldwell County. The $2.5 million contract includes sealing and overlaying the highway between Borchert Loop in Lockhart and SH 80 in Martindale.
The new driving surface will be of a special thin overlay mixture pioneered in the Austin area, which promises a smooth ride, superior traction, and durability.
Most of the highway between Martindale and FM 2720 will also have profile pavement markings added. These markings will help alert drivers if they are too close to the edge or to oncoming traffic so they can prevent crashes.
Angel Brothers won the contract which will take about three months to complete next spring and summer.
Safety is TxDOT’s top priority and includes guardrail to protect drivers from striking stationary objects or driving into deep drop-offs. K-Bar Services, Inc. won a $2.6 million contract to replace, repair, and upgrade metal beam guard fence in Hays, Caldwell, Bastrop and Lee counties. The contract lasts two years.
In Bastrop County, drivers will see a temporary detour on Alum Creek Road, with the replacement of an old bridge. Trevway, Inc. won the contract to build a new 24-foot bridge in place of the old 15-foot, one lane structure, which failed during this year’s heavy rains and flooding. The $431,000 contract includes upgrading the adjacent road and guardrails. Work should begin in early 2017 and last about five months.
The population growth in the area means more traffic and the demand for more traffic lights at intersections. Austin Traffic Signal Construction Co. has won a two-year, $838,000 district-wide contract for new and modified traffic signals, as needed.
Outside of state highways, TxDOT also lends its expertise to helping other state agencies with roads and parking lots. Opportunity Excavation/Concrete won a $77,000 contract to work on a road inside the Granger Wildlife Management Area.
