TYLER, Texas – Interstate 20 in East Texas is expected to be closed for three days, beginning Sunday at noon, for emergency bridge demolition and reconstruction.
TYLER, Texas – Interstate 20 in East Texas is expected to be closed for three days, beginning Sunday at noon, for emergency bridge demolition and reconstruction.
Interstate 20 at Farm-to-Market (FM) 849 in Hideaway, Texas, will be closed in both directions from noon Sunday until Wednesday morning, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. Traffic will be diverted to the service roads which will reduce traffic to one lane in both direction.
The closure will allow crews to demolition the FM 849 bridge which sustained major structural damage on November 14, 2017, when an oversized load struck and damaged three of the four bridge girders — rendering it unsafe for travel.
"Removal of the existing bridge will signal the start of an emergency contract to expedite the replacement project for the FM 849 Bridge over I-20," according to TxDOT.
“This is not a typical lane closure because we’re actually shutting down I-20 around the clock for three days and putting traffic on the ramps which could cause major delays,” said Kathi White, TxDOT Public Information Officer. “Moving such a high volume of traffic to the ramps will cause lengthy delays. Traffic on all connecting roadways, such as Toll 49, will be impacted as well. Our best suggestion is to avoid I-20 if at all possible.”
"After removing the existing steel and concrete structure, daytime and nighttime operations will begin to construct the new bridge," states a TxDOT release. "This will also include periodic lane closures and delays on I-20."
The bridge will be replaced with a four-span reinforced concrete bridge and the project includes include roadway work to connect to the new overpass approach slabs.
The contractor for the $4.6 million project is Longview Road and Bridge, Ltd., of Longview. The project, originally scheduled for several years down the road, is expected to be completed in mid-April, weather permitting.
"TxDOT appreciates the public’s patience and understanding during this major emergency undertaking for the removal process and construction of a new bridge," read the release.
