259 bypass problem solved

After visiting with several local residents several times and re-evaluating the U.S. 259 bypass, Texas Department of Transportation officials say they have found a solution for one of the problems.

Larry Krantz, public information officer for the TxDOT's Tyler District, said engineers have decided on a way to minimize the potentially-hazardous condition in front of Forest Home Baptist Church. This is the area in the south end of the by-pass on Danville Road, just north FM 1249 (Dudley Road).

Kilgore Resident David Hedrick said the problem is that TxDOT did not include turning lanes on that part of the loop.

According to Hedrick, members of Forest Home Baptist Church and residents living along that portion of the loop are in danger when turning because of the speed of approaching traffic and the lack of turn lanes.

District Engineer Mary Owens and resident Engineer Paul Japp agreed there was a safety issue at that point on the bypass.

Krantz said since the initial meeting about a week ago, TxDOT has come up with a solution of that problem.

"TxDOT is going to relocate the intersection 800 feet north (of its present location), which will allow us to increase the sight distance from the onramp at FM 1249 and the (northbound land of ) the overpass," Krantz said.

Krantz said this will allow the construction of a left turn lane on the southbound lane into the new intersection. The intersection is the junction of the bypass and the Danville Road "extension" which runs in front of several houses, a business and the church. A second intersection at the bypass and the north end of Danville Road is not part of the discussion.

TxDot plans to upgrade the existing road in front of the church, houses and business and extend Danville north 800 feet, creating a new intersection further north of the ramp and overpass.

As for the other issues, Krantz said TxDOT is currently evaluating them.

"All of the issues are valid," he said. "We're all concerned and want to make the by-pass as safe as possible but we started with the project we felt had the most impact."

Krantz said there was no decision on a turn lane in the northbound for residents living on the west side of the loop in that same area.

At last week's meeting Owen said there would be "no problem" in creating that left turn lane heading south.

"All we have to do is take in a little of the shoulder and re-stripe that portion of the by-pass," she said. The estimated time to do that is about a month.

In the meantime, the speed limit has been dropped from 70 mph to 55 mph in the area between Dudley and Stone Roads and signs declaring it a work zone have been erected.

He said TxDOT has kicked off a speed study on the by-pass which should take six weeks to complete.

On a completely different issue, Krantz said TXDOT plans to let bids in 2008 for a rehabilitation program for the road between I-20 and Hwy. 31.

"It will be a pavement rehabilitation program," he said. "A new surface will be put down and the road will be widened six-feet."

Funding the project, which is estimated at $5 million, has already been approved.