TxDOT prepares to fund additional mobility
Houston County Courier - February 2010
LUFKIN - Project cost under runs continue to allow state transportation officials to add additional mobility projects to the list of those funded through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA).
At its January meeting, the Texas Transportation Commission gave TxDOT staff approval to add the Loop 304 expansion project in Crockett to the list of those funded through ARRA.
The commission approved $3,515,000 in ARRA funds to be added to the $1 million federal demonstration funds appropriated for Loop 304 in 2004.
The project, which runs from Hwy. 19 south to Hwy. 7 east consists of reconstructing the existing pavement and adding a continuous two-way left turn lane.
The Lufkin District had originally planned to widen the roadway to four lanes with a grass median, but revised the work for the two-way left turn based on public comments at meetings held in June and August 2009.
According to TxDOT no additional right-of-way is required; however, driveway access at some properties will be affected and the estimated cost for this construction project is $4,515,000.
The district plans to accept bids in May 2010 with work anticipated to begin in early July.
“This non-traditional stream of funding is helping to advance a project that might otherwise just be on our books of those proposed with no funding identified,” said Dennis Cooley, TxDOT Lufkin District Engineer.
“We are eager to get moving on this project and increase mobility in the Crockett area.”
The nation’s current economic conditions and their direct effect on construction contracting and material supplies have caused winning bids to come in at less than anticipated costs, resulting in under runs of the originally obligated ARRA funds.
Texas’ share of road and bridge funds under the ARRA is $2.25 billion.
Last year, TxDOT initially approved $1.2 billion in mobility projects, with amendments made throughout the year. ARRA funds are also being spent on maintenance projects, transportation enhancements, or are to be spent by local agencies.
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