PALESTINE —
The $43 million, 8.6-mile project to expand U.S. 79 to four lanes between Tile Factory Road in Palestine and the four-lane section just before the Trinity River bridges will have a long-term affects on the economies of Palestine and Anderson County, according to the Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce.
“We’ve waited a long time for this project to move forward so a very significant transportation bottleneck can be eliminated,” Anderson County Judge Robert Johnston said. “Historically there is a direct correlation between highway expansion and economic development, and we’re already beginning to see signs of that future growth.”
The chamber and other Palestine and Anderson County officials will celebrate the recent groundbreaking of the project and the benefits the area will recognize upon its completion at a groundbreaking luncheon on Thursday.
Guest speakers will include Texas Transportation Commissioner Jeff Austin III, TxDOT Tyler District Engineer Randy Hopmann, Johnston and Palestine Mayor Bob Herrington.
Master of Ceremonies will be 369th Judicial District Court Judge Bascom W. Bentley III.
“Adding new lanes to U.S. 79 will not only make travel safer and more efficient through the corridor, it will provide new opportunities for residential and business growth, and that’s an exciting prospect,” Herrington said.
The project began last month and is expected to be completed in 2016.
Similar to the recent project to expand Texas 155 to two lanes in each direction, the new U.S. 79 lanes will be built away from traffic, so interruptions to existing traffic will be minimal. Once the new lanes are complete, traffic will be shifted to the new lanes so the old lanes can be rebuilt.
Local News
Thursday luncheon to celebrate groundbreaking of U.S. 79 expansion
- Local News
-
-
Reagan Park Spray ground to open Saturday
The City of Palestine Parks and Recreation Department will kick off the first full season for the Reagan Park Spray Ground with an public opening event this Saturday.
-
Annual Bluegrass Music Festival begins today at Salmon Lake
Bluegrass bands from across the country will descend upon the Grapeland area this week for the 16th Annual Memorial Day Weekend Bluegrass Music Festival, opening today and continuing through Sunday at Salmon Lake Park.
-
Healthy cooking program offered
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Palestine is offering a four-week program starting this Thursday to help diabetics make healthy cooking choices.
-
Steps of Faith Dance Center production Saturday
Steps of Faith Dance Center will hold its annual production at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Palestine Civic Center.
“We’re going to take you to a land far away and tell you the ‘real’ story of some of your favorite fairy tale characters,” Steps of Faith Dance Center owner Jennifer Ballew said. “The production is full of lively fun music, a reminiscing ol’ Granny, and of course the incredible dancing of several talented students.” -
Chamber sets photo contest
The Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking shutterbugs to participate in its second annual photo contest — portraying structures, landmarks and memorable locations in the Palestine/Anderson County area.
-
Memorial Day celebration set Saturday
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3907 will hold a Memorial Day celebration on Saturday featuring barbecue, live music, an auction and more.
-
Longview man injured in motorcycle wreck
A Longview man remained in fair condition in a Tyler hospital Monday following a one-vehicle motorcycle wreck Friday near Montalba on Texas 19.
-
Traffic stop leads to arrest
A Palestine man remained in jail Monday on drug-related charges following a suspicious vehicle stop in Anderson County on Saturday.
According to Sheriff Greg Taylor, while on patrol in the early morning hours on Saturday, deputy Johnny Gorden saw a suspicious vehicle sitting on the side of U.S. 287 between Palestine and Elkhart. -
Residents urged to welcome back local troops on Wednesday
Palestine area residents are asked to help welcome back the local National Guard troops, which will be coming by bus to the National Guard Armory in Palestine at about 3 p.m. Wednesday.
-
Community invited to welcome back National Guard troops
The community is asked to help welcome back the local National Guard troops, which will be coming by bus to the National Guard Armory in Palestine at about 3 p.m. Wednesday.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Reagan Park Spray ground to open Saturday
Texas Students Coach Teachers on Fitness
New Forecasting Tool Eyed for Hurricane Season
Meet MJ, the Bike Riding Tabby Cat
Britain Attack Believed Linked to Radical Islam
Raw: Kevin Durant Tours Moore After $1M Pledge
Weiner Launches Bid to Become NYC Mayor
Okla. Teens Get Video of Deadly Tornado Overhead
Man Shot While Questioned in Boston Probe
School Storm Protection Spotty in Tornado Zones
9-year-old Tornado Victim Loved Family, Singing
Moore Native Toby Keith Tours Tornado Damage
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Okla. City Mayor: Up to 13K Homes Hit by Tornado
Raw: Aftermath of Deadly Attack in London
Paperless Scanner, Vision of the Future
Florida FBI Shooting Has Boston Bombing Links
Garcetti Elected Los Angeles Mayor Over Greuel
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
IRS Official Pleads 5th Amendment
Lawyer: Feds Investigating Susan Powell Case
