LUFKIN - Plans for the US 59 Diboll Relief Route are progressing with recent approvals of the design schematic and the environmental re-evaluation. TxDOT anticipates beginning right-of-way acquisitions by fall which will total more than 60 parcels of land.

The Diboll Relief Route will improve mobility on US 59 and provide system connectivity for future designation as Interstate 69 (I-69). Prior to right-of-way acquisitions, appraisals and title searches will be completed. Those tasks are already underway.

Only funding for right-of-way acquisitions and design have been approved. There is currently no funding designated for construction. The Diboll Relief Route was identified as a top priority for I-69 development in Angelina County by the citizen-led I-69 Angelina and Nacogdoches Counties Committee.

The environmental process and schematic were first approved in 1999, but designs did not meet current Interstate design standards; therefore, TxDOT in recent years has revised the schematic and prepared the environmental re-evaluation which was presented at an Open House held in Diboll on Jan. 22, 2015.

"With the comments we received from the public at that Open House last year, TxDOT made further revisions to the schematic," said Rhonda Oaks, public information officer for the Lufkin District. "Some of those changes included lengthening several ramps to provide access to landlocked parcels, reconfiguring the south interchange to a more conventional diamond interchange and FM 2108 was extended to the Old Diboll Highway. These changes were approved in June and now right-of-way acquisitions can begin."

Until funding for construction of the Diboll Relief Route is approved, TxDOT will continue to work to develop a long-term strategy to identify funding. These could include federal, state and local resources. TxDOT remains committed to advancing I-69 through Texas, including Angelina County.

 

For more information, contact:

 

Rhonda.Oaks@txdot.gov<mailto:Rhonda.OaksDonaldson@txdot.gov> or (936) 633-4395.