March 10,2015

 

LUFKIN - The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), the City of San Augustine, the County of San Augustine, the Chamber of Cornmerce and Main Street celebrated a groundbreaking Tuesday along with many guests that marked the beginning of an intersection construction project at SH 21lUS 96.

 

Drewery Construction will serve as contractor for the project which is planned to improve mobility and safety at the original traffic circle. Construction plans include:

 

. A traffic signal with illumination at the newly constructed intersection

. A dedicated left and right turn lane and a 12-foot through lane at each approach

. Additional pavement width on right turn lane to accommodate bicycle traffic

. Five-foot sidewalks and ADA curb ramps to accommodate pedestrians

. Curb and gutter with storm drains

. Colored textured concrete islands to delineate driveway openings near the intersection

 

Officials gathered at the traffic circle to commemorate the groundbreaking with ceremonies held on the lawn of the San Augustine County Courthouse immediately following. The $3.9 million project is expected to be complete by late summer, weather permitting.

 

"The Lufkin District is excited to kick-off this construction project as TxDOT has been working with the city and county to make these intersection improvements for several years," said TxDOT Lufkin District Engineer Cheryl Flood. "Replacing this obsolete traffic circle with a traditional signalized intersection will reduce crashes caused by unfamiliarity with this traffic movement and uncertainty as to who has the right of way. I urge drivers to be cautious while construction is being performed and if possible take an alternate route."

 

Once construction begins, motorists should be prepared to encounter rumble strips, barricades, safety cones and barrels in the work zone. Drivers should be prepared to slow down in the construction area. Traffic control will be administered by Drewery Construction. Traffic fines double when workers are present.

 

Officials gathered Tuesday morning for the groundbreaking for the SH 21/US 96 Intersectioin Project at the San Augustine Traffic Circle. Pictured are (left to right, reflective vest) Shannon Ramos, TxDOT assistant area engineer, Kyle Drewery, Drewery Construction, Leroy Hughes, Mayor of San Augustine, Samye Johnson, County Judge of San Augustine County, Linda Parker, Rep. Trent Ashby's office, Dawn Glover, Sen. Robert Nichols' office, Waldo Dalchau, president, San Augustine Chamber of Commerce, Rod Litton, SA Main Street and Dan Fussell, San Augustine councilman. Center Broadcasting photo