PALESTINE —
After a 5-year hiatus, the Texas Department of Transportation’s plan to widen U.S. 79 South is back on, with work on the project expected to begin as soon as October.
According to Larry Krantz, public information officer for TxDOT’s Tyler District, the Texas Transportation Commission approved the $42 million project during a meeting on June 27.
“We have had these plans on the shelf for five years,” Krantz told the Herald-Press on Wednesday afternoon. “It was the last portion of the Texas Trunk System Series. We were on board and ready to go when the funding disappeared.”
The 4-year widening project includes the portion of U.S. 79 south from Palestine’s Tile Factory Road and continues south to Texas 294, near the Wal-Mart Distribution Center in Tucker.
The urban portion of U.S. 79 will be widened to include a flush median (center turning lane) with the more rural portion of the road to include a grassy median dividing the two two-lane highways.
“There are definitely going to be some delays when construction begins, especially the areas inside the Palestine city limits,” Krantz said.
If things continue as scheduled, the project will be let to a contractor in September and work could possibly begin in October.
“We just have one Palestine water line to move,” Krantz said. “All other utilities have already been relocated, right-of way has been bought and we are ready to begin.”
Increased safety for travelers and a potential for economic growth were cited as benefits of the project to Palestine and Anderson County.
“The number one benefit is safety — we certainly want to increase safety on that highway,” Krantz said. “And whenever there is potential for economic development, that is a good thing too.”
Mary Rainwater may be reached via e-mail at mrainwater@palestineherald.com
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