Weekly Roadwork Report

TxDOT Atlanta District

May 15 – May 21, 2022

ATLANTA ­– Crashes killed more than 500 Texas motorcyclists in 2021. During this time in the Atlanta District, 125 motorcycle traffic crashes resulted in the deaths of 11 motorcyclists, operators, and passengers. Crashes killed ten motorcyclists in 2020. Many more were seriously injured. In 2021 in the Atlanta District, 37 motorcyclists suffered severe injuries.

The Atlanta District includes Bowie, Cass, Camp, Harrison, Marion, Morris, Panola, Titus, and Upshur Counties.

In Texarkana in 2021, 23 motorcycle traffic crashes resulted in the deaths of two motorcyclists. In addition, accidents seriously injured six motorcyclists.

During May, which is National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) wants to remind drivers to be extra vigilant around riders and give them extra space and consideration on the state’s roadways.

TxDOT’s annual “Share the Road: Look Twice for Motorcycles” campaign calls attention to the safety precautions motorists must take to protect motorcyclists.

 

State officials report that 519 motorcycle riders died in motor vehicle crashes in 2021, a 7% increase over the previous year. And even though motorcycles comprise less than 2% of vehicles in Texas, they accounted for 12% of the fatalities in 2021. 

“With warmer temperatures, we see more and more motorcycles on our roads. Those are our friends, parents, and other loved ones, and they are not always easy to see. More than half of fatal motorcycle crashes result from collisions with other vehicles,” said Atlanta District Engineer Buddy Williams. “It’s easy to misjudge the distance and speed of motorcycles. Their small size can even make them appear farther away when they’re closer. And one more thing we’d like to remind folks about as they’re mowing their lawns this summer,” Williams added, “please remember to remove any grass clippings from the road. Many of us may not think about a serious slip hazard to our two-wheeled drivers.” 

TxDOT offers these life-saving safety tips for drivers to protect motorcyclists and prevent crashes: 

• Take extra care when making a left turn. Always assume motorcycles are closer than they appear and avoid turning in front of an oncoming motorcycle.
• Pay special attention at intersections. A third of motorcycle fatalities happen at roadway intersections.
• Give driving your full attention. Even a momentary distraction can have deadly consequences, such as answering a phone call or changing the radio station.
• Look twice when changing lanes. Check mirrors, check blind spots, and always use turn signals.
• Give motorcyclists room when passing them. Move over to the passing lane and don’t crowd the motorcyclist’s entire lane.
• Stay back. If you’re behind a motorcycle, always maintain a safe following distance. When a motorcyclist downshifts instead of applying the brake to slow down, it can catch drivers off guard since there are no brake lights to signal reduced speed.
• Slow down. Obey posted speed limits and drive to conditions.

The “Share the Road: Look Twice for Motorcycles” campaign is a critical component of #EndTheStreakTX, a broader social media and word-of-mouth effort that encourages drivers to make safer choices behind the wheel, like wearing a seat belt, driving the speed limit, avoiding distractions, and never driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. November 7, 2000, was the last deathless day on Texas roadways. #EndTheStreakTX asks all Texans to commit to driving safely to help end the streak of daily deaths on Texas roadways.

Bowie County 

• I-30 – From FM 989 to AR State Line, reconstructing and widening highway, daytime work in the median. Motorists should watch for trucks and equipment pulling onto the interstate.
• I-30 – Westbound at Exit 207/Spur 594, ramp rehabilitation. Exit ramp closed. I-30 westbound lanes in this area restricted to one lane
• US 59 – From Arkansas State line to 1.5 miles north of I-30, installing safety barrier cable. Daily lane closures
• SH 8 – At Sulphur River, replacing bridges
• SH 98 – At Anderson Creek, bridge replacement, with traffic restricted to one lane, with signal lights controlling traffic through the work zone.
• FM 2240/Moore’s Lane – From FM 559/Richmond Rd to FM 1397/Summerhill Rd, resurfacing the road, with traffic limited to one lane Sunday-Thursday nights.
• SH 93/Summerhill Rd. – From US 67 to I-30, resurfacing the road, with traffic limited to one lane Sunday-Thursday nights

 Camp County 

• SL 255 – From FM 1520 to US 271, constructing a highway, with County Road 2120 detoured.

 Cass County 

• SH 8 – At Sulphur River, replacing bridges
• US 67 – Widening bridge at Jennings Slough. Signal lights controlling one-way traffic

 Harrison County 

• I-20 – At US 59 overpass, replacing the bridge. US 59 traffic shifted to southbound lanes.
• I-20 – Concrete pavement repair. Various daytime lane closures. Expect delays
• I-20 – At Lansing Switch Road, constructing a new bridge over the interstate. Lansing Switch Road is closed to traffic. Possible lane closures on I-20
• SH 43 – At Kansas City Southern Railroad in Karnack, widening the bridge over the railroad. Signal lights controlling one-way traffic
• US 80 – From Loop 390 to Interstate 20, resurfacing highway. Daytime lane closures, expect delays. 

 Marion County 

• US 59 – From SH 49 to two miles north of SH 49, repairing and resurfacing highway 
• CR 3306 – at Mill Creek, replacing the bridge. Bridge closed to through traffic.

 Morris County 

• SH 49 – From Titus County line to FM 144, repairing and resurfacing highway 

 Panola County 

• US 59 (Loop) – From Business 59 North of Carthage to US 79 East, rehabilitating highway. US 79 traffic shifted to NB lanes at US 59 Loop. US 59 Loop SB exit ramp & NB entrance ramp are closed. 
• CR 224 – at Irons Bayou, replacing the bridge closed to through traffic.

Titus County 

• SH 49 – From FM 1735 to Morris County line, repairing and resurfacing highway
• SH 49 – From Business 271 to Mount Pleasant city limits, repairing and resurfacing the road. One-lane, two-way traffic
• US 271 – At Dickson Creek, Big Slough Creek, White Oak Creek & White Oak Creek Relief. Replacing bridges

 Upshur County 

• US 271 – From 5.9 miles north of SH 155 to 1.5 miles north of SH 155, resurfacing highway. Traffic shifted to southbound lanes. 

TxDOT Paris District

May 15 – May 21, 2022

Delta, Lamar, and Red River Counties

Contacts: Paris Area Office (903) 784-1357; Delta Co. Maintenance (903) 395-2139; Lamar Co. Maintenance (903) 785-4468; Red River Co. Maintenance (903) 427-3561.

SH 37, Red River County: from US 82 to the Texas-Oklahoma state line, watch for temporary lane closures while crews resurface the roadway.

US 271, Red River County: from SH 37 to Titus County Line. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews resurface the roadway.

FM 906, Lamar County: from FM 2648 to CR 47400. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.

FM 38, Lamar County: from US 82 to US 82. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews improve drainage structures and upgrade bridge rail and metal-beam guard fence.

FM 195, Red River County: from the Lamar County line to SH 37, watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews improve drainage structures and replace bridge rail.

FM 1487, Red River County: from FM 909 to FM 910. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews widen and rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.

US 82, Red River County: from FM 1159 to the Bowie County line, watch for work zones and drive safely through construction areas while crews perform the final work.

Loop 286, Lamar County: from FM 1497 around the North Loop to FM 1507. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews improve guardrail and drainage structures.

FM 64, Delta County: from FM 128 to SH 1532. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.

FM 2675, Delta County: from Lamar County line to FM 128, watch for temporary lane closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.

CR 3440, Delta County: at Jennings Creek. Watch for road closure while crews replace the existing bridge.

Hopkins, Franklin Counties

SH 37, Franklin County: from the elementary school to US 67, you need to watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews install the sidewalk.

IH 30, Hopkins County: from Loop 301 to Franklin County Line. Watch for lane closures and traffic delays as crews begin surfacing operations.

FM 1536, Hopkins County: from SH 19 to FM 71. Watch for lane closures and short delays as crews upgrade cross drainage structures.

FM 3389, Hopkins County: from IH 30 to FM 1567. Watch for lane closures and short delays as crews perform surfacing operations.