Northeast Texas drivers should expect delays and altered routes this week as the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) continues multiple construction projects across Bowie, Cass, Harrison, Marion, Morris, Panola, Titus, and Upshur counties. The work, ranging from highway widening to bridge replacements, aims to improve safety and mobility in the region, but will require patience from commuters. According to a report released by TxDOT’s Atlanta District, several key routes are impacted, with closures and lane restrictions in effect from February 15th through February 21st.
The most significant disruptions are centered around Interstate 30. Westbound traffic on I-30 between Farm to Market Road (FM) 989 and the Arkansas state line is currently split, with the left lane designated for through traffic only – no exits are permitted from that lane. The right lane is for local traffic and allows for exits. Some westbound ramps are also closed as part of the widening project. Further east, the westbound exit ramp at I-30 Exit 220B/Richmond Road is closed due to highway widening. The frontage roads along I-30, from FM 3419 to FM 989, are undergoing extension work, resulting in the closure of FM 2148 under the I-30 bridge.
Work is also impacting travel on FM 989/Kings Highway, between the I-30 north frontage road and Gibson Lane, where traffic has been shifted to accommodate road widening. A newly constructed bridge on State Highway (SH) 8 at Sulphur River is now open to traffic, offering a positive development amidst the ongoing construction. However, US 82, between US 259 and I-30, is experiencing widening work, leading to the closure of both the westbound entrance and exit ramps at I-30, as well as the eastbound entrance ramp.
Cass County Roadwork Focuses on SH 155 and US 59
In Cass County, drivers on SH 155 between the Marion County line and SH 49 should anticipate lane and shoulder closures due to road rehabilitation. Similar closures are in place on US 59 at Bowman Creek for bridge preventive maintenance, with daytime lane closures expected. SH 49, between SH 155 and the Marion County line, is closed to through traffic starting February 16th, with a detour route established. The new bridge on SH 8 at Sulphur River is open.
Harrison County Projects Include Intersection Realignment and Resurfacing
Harrison County drivers will encounter delays on Delia Drive at Page Road, where an intersection realignment project has resulted in a full road closure and a detour. Westbound lanes of I-20, between FM 450 and SH 43, are undergoing resurfacing. Bridge replacement work on Cargill Road (CR 1301) at Eight Mile Creek has also necessitated a detour. Preventive maintenance on US 80 at Potters Creek will cause daytime lane closures.
Marion County Sees Closures on SH 155 and SH 49
Marion County is experiencing significant disruptions on SH 155. Rehabilitation work between west of FM 729 and the Cass County line will cause lane and shoulder closures. SH 155 at Lake O’ The Pines is undergoing bridge replacement, also resulting in lane and shoulder closures. Like Cass County, SH 49 is closed to through traffic between FM 729 and SH 155, with a detour in place starting February 16th.
Other County Impacts
Morris County drivers should be aware of parking improvements underway at Daingerfield State Park. In Panola County, construction of an interchange at US 59 and FM 1794 has diverted traffic to frontage roads, and FM 1794 is closed at US 59 with a detour in place. Work on US 79, between US 59 and FM 31, involves adding a continuous turn lane, leading to daytime lane closures. Bridge replacements on CR 4354 at McFaddin Creek and SH 43, between the Rusk and Harrison County lines, also require detours and cause daytime lane closures, respectively.
Titus County drivers will encounter traffic shifts on US 271 as bridges are replaced at Dickson Creek, Substantial Slough Creek, White Oak Creek, and White Oak Creek Relief. Bridge replacement work on FM 71 at Lacy Creek has also resulted in a detour. Upshur County is seeing road rehabilitation on SH 155 at Lake O’ The Pines and SH 300 between US 271 and FM 3358 S, with lane and shoulder closures. Widening work on FM 2796, between SH 155 and FM 593, is also causing lane and shoulder closures. Safety improvements involving fixed objects are being made on SH 300 and SH 155, resulting in daytime lane closures.
TxDOT encourages drivers to stay informed about these and other road closures by following the Atlanta District on social media: Facebook, Instagram, Nextdoor, X, and Threads. Heather Deaton, Public Information Officer for the Texas Department of Transportation’s Atlanta District, can be reached at 903-799-1306 for further information.
Motorists are advised to plan ahead, allow extra travel time, and exercise caution when traveling through these work zones. The next update from TxDOT’s Atlanta District regarding these projects is expected in the week of February 22nd. Please share this information with anyone who may be affected by these road closures and construction activities.
