LUFKIN - Seal coating season is in full swing at TxDOT and as weather permits, motorists will likely encounter a work crew in all nine counties of the Lufkin District.

Seal coats, which are also called chip seals, are a combination of rock and asphalt and are applied to existing pavements. The applications will extend the life of the pavement as well as improve traction.

The process is a relatively low-cost maintenance measure and will usually last for about five years. TxDOT rotates roads around the five-year interval to help preserve the pavement structures. This week, barricades will be set at various locations for seal coating projects to begin. In other areas, the projects have already begun and motorists will continue to see work crews working to complete the process.

Lufkin District work crews are also busy safety treating objects along several roadways. Lufkin Area Engineer Jesse Sisco explained why the process is important.

"Many of our projects involve us analyzing the roadside for potential hazards such as fixed objects and safety treating each hazard to make potential off-road accidents less severe," Sisco said. "This may involve extending a drainage headwall a safer distance from the pavement or adding concrete safety slopes to driveway culverts."

Motorists are advised to pay attention and remain alert through all project construction and areas undergoing maintenance. Expect alternating lane closures and slower traffic throughout projects and be prepared to stop or remain at a slower speed as vehicles maneuver through the lanes of traffic. Obey all road signs and drive carefully as crews are working close to moving traffic.

Project updates for the week of June 15-19 include:

SHELBY COUNTY:
US 84/Texas-Louisiana bridge: Beams are being hung with the Eastbound bridge beams set to be completed this week. Work on eastbound drainage features at the intersection at LA 5 and utility relocations will also continue.
Loop 500: From US 96 to SH 7 top soil is being placed where seeding will be done, followed by striping the project. Stop signs will also be set in the near future at FM 699 and FM 2468 within the loop project. The newly constructed section of the loop is not open to traffic and the "Road Closed" signs remain in place at all access points.
FM 139: Structure and driveway work to continue as well as safety treating fixed objects along roadway.

SAN AUGUSTINE COUNTY:
SH 21/US 96: Work continues on drainage structures, concrete curb and gutter, traffic signal foundations and placing hot mix for widening. Temporary shoring near a box culvert just south of the intersection will also be installed.

ANGELINA COUNTY:
US 59/Loop 287: Concrete paving along the westbound frontage road as crews work toward completion of the westbound and eastbound Loop 287 main lanes beneath the United Pacific Railroad Overpass. Paving at the intersection of Business 59 toward Ellen Trout Zoo is scheduled to begin soon as weather permits. Landscape work continues through the project area as soil and seeding rehabilitation continue.
Business 59: The Angelina and Neches River Railroad bridge replacement project continues with lane closures expected throughout the week. Southbound traffic will be diverted into the northbound lanes of traffic as crews set pilings and prepare the bridge for removal.
US 59/FM 2021: Establishing vegetation and completing concrete paving.
FM 58: Road repairs in various areas along the roadway.
Various locations: Ditch work and rehabilitation to continue.
Various locations: Herbicide treatments.
Various locations: Pothole patching and pavement rehabilitation.

NACOGDOCHES COUNTY:
US 59: Striping work will begin once sealcoating is completed in various sections.
US 59: Installations of raised medians on the westbound entrance ramp and concrete work at the retaining wall at the southbound exit ramp. A new pavement structure will be built behind the traffic barrier on the westbound entrance ramp.
Loop 224: Placing top soil and seeding around the project area.
Loop 224: Work on various cross drainage structures is scheduled to be completed as well as driveway pipes and restoration throughout project.
SH 21: Work is set to begin completing the widening project from FM 226 to FM 3276.
FM 3314: Completing the final surface paving with striping to begin in the near future. New signs and mailboxes are scheduled to be set.

POLK COUNTY:
US 59: Begin placing final surface on southbound lanes from Moscow through Leggett.
US 59: Patching base failures at various locations.
US 287: Pouring concrete headwalls and wingwalls on cross structures and safety treating fixed objects.
SH 146: Striping with alternating lane closures throughout project area.
Various locations: Maintenance crews will be sweeping bridges, repairing signs and filling potholes.

SAN JACINTO COUNTY:
US 59 at FM 2914 overpass: Hauling and placing embankment. Crews will be bracing bridge beams and setting forms in preparation for setting bridge deck panels.
US 59: Milling and inlaying pavement.
FM 946: Pouring concrete headwalls and wingwalls on cross structures.
Various locations: Setting barricades for sealcoating projects.
Various locations: Rehabilitating ditches.

SABINE COUNTY:
FM 1: Work will continue to install a flashing beacon at the railroad underpass.
FM 1: Installation of driveway culverts.
FM 1751: Cross drainage structures being replaced and repaired.
FM 1592: Safety treating fixed objects along the roadway.
FM 3184: Safety treating fixed objects along the roadway.
FM 2261: Safety treating fixed objects along the roadway.

HOUSTON COUNTY:
US 287: Safety treating fixed objects along the roadway south of Loop 304.
SH 7: Rehabilitating the roadway and adding passing lanes west of Kennard.
FM 132: Completion of road repairs.
FM 2967: Continued road repairs.
FM 3151: Continued road repairs.
FM 2915: Road rehabilitation and repairs.

TRINITY COUNTY:
SH 94: Safety treating fixed objects alongside the roadway.
SH 19: Road repairs in the southbound lane from the Lovelady city limits south to the Trinity County line.
FM 3317: Level-up road surface.