Ports to Plains Trans Texas Corridor in progress in Dawson County
Ports to Plains is one of the Trans Texas Corridor (TTC) trade corridors. There are no traffic jams in this county of a population of only 13,000. These road improvements are being made to build the TTC piece-by-piece to facilitate global trade and the transport of cheap Chinese goods into America and the free flow of people and goods across the Texas-Mexico border.
Dawson County road work to improve South Plains connections to Permian Basin
TxDOT plans projects on US 87, Texas 349 south of Lamesa
By Adam D. Young
Lubbock Online.com
June 5, 2013
Road crews have their work cut out for them this fall and in 2014 on Dawson County highways connecting the South Plains with the Permian Basin.
The Texas Department of Transportation last week earmarked $11.2 million for roadway improvements and repairs to nearly 20 miles of US 87 south of Lamesa — just months after the department allocated up to $17 million to a project to widen a portion of Texas 349 between Lamesa and Midland.
The US 87 project, approved by the Texas Transportation Commission, is part of an ongoing effort to improve and maintain a safe transportation system, said Dianah Ascenio, a spokeswoman for TxDOT.
Duinick, Inc., of Roanoke, Texas, was awarded the project that will rehabilitate a segment of the existing roadway.
“In a state as vast as Texas, it’s imperative to not only have reliable roadways connecting our rural and urban citizens, but also to be diligent in designing and maintaining them with safety in mind,” transportation Commissioner Fred Underwood said in a statement. “Keeping everyone safe on the road is our first priority. We must do everything we can to get the driving public safely to their destinations and home to their families at the end of the day.”
The US 87 project was one among 73 projects approved by the commission state-wide during its meeting last week. The projects will improve roadway safety across the state — with some projects also addressing congestion and mobility.
“As Texas roadways become increasingly crowded, we must find ways to relieve congestion without compromising safety,” said Phil Wilson, TxDOT executive director. “Keeping travelers moving safely and efficiently will continue to be an ongoing priority as Texas welcomes nearly 1,000 newcomers each day.”
The project will stretch approximately 19.3 miles from the city of Lamesa to the Martin County line. Construction is expected to begin in fall 2013 and has a 20-month work schedule. Bidding on the project began in May.
Increased traffic, prompted in part by the ongoing energy boom in the Permian Basin, already has the state planning an expansion on Texas 349 from Lamesa to Midland.
The TxDOT project will widen the road from two lanes to four, without a median, starting from just south of Lamesa in Dawson County for about 13 miles to the Martin County line.
State officials will open the bids on this project in August. Construction is expected to begin in 2014, Ascencio said.