FORNEY, Texas — Forney’s replica Statue of Liberty was removed for storage in preparation for construction along the service road which will force the relocation of the statue that has greeted eastbound U.S. Highway 80 travelers into Forney for approximately three decades.
FORNEY, Texas — Forney’s replica Statue of Liberty was removed for storage in preparation for construction along the service road which will force the relocation of the statue that has greeted eastbound U.S. Highway 80 travelers into Forney for approximately three decades.
The statue was donated to the City of Forney in December 1986 by American Legion Post 591, according to a plaque attached to one of the three flag poles surrounding the statue.
The statue was removed and placed into storage in preparations for the ramp relocation and service road project on the south side of U.S. Highway 80, named the Liberty Hill Project, according to Public Works Director Chris Metz.
The Liberty Hill project will relocate the entrance and exit ramps on the south side of U.S. Highway 80 between Farm-to-Market (FM) 460, also known as Clements Road, and FM 740, also known as Pinson Road.
Liberty Hill project plans also call for new construction of the south service road near the statue’s current location which will continue the service road along the highway instead of requiring a left-hand turn near the Kids of Clay daycare.
Local officials plan to work with the Texas Department of Transportation to propose a new entry-way monument for the statue.