TxDOT announces upcoming projects in Jack County

Jacksboro and county officials received updates on current and future TxDOT projects during a meeting Tuesday afternoon.

TxDOT District Engineer Brian Barth said many of the projects scheduled for this year are seal coat projects that should begin in June. Those are:

• FM 2210 from FM 4 to US 281

• US 281 from the Archer County line to SH 114

• FM 1156 from US 380 to SH 199

• SH 114 from Young County line to US 281

Other future projects scheduled for FY 2017 include seal coating portions of FM 4, FM 2210, FM 1810 and FM 2127. One safety related item scheduled for FY 2017 include the installation of rumble strips on the shoulders of US 281 from SH 199 to the Palo Pinto county line.

TxDOT officials also explained projects up until FY 2021. Some of the major ones in the City of Jacksboro including making ADA updates, signal updates and curb repairs on US 380 from 9th St. in Jacksboro to US 281.

Transportation Engineer Kevin Howell said the project, scheduled for FY 2019, will include a full overlay on the road. Howell said a pedestrian access update will also be done as well as light updates outside Jacksboro Middle School.

Beginning in FY 2020, TxDOT plans to add acceleration lanes in some places, including US 380 on either side of FM 4. 

A number of projects are also in the planning and design phase for possible work in future fiscal years with only the need for funding preventing work. 

In development presently for FY 2018 is to construct two “super” passing lanes on US 281 from Martin Road about 1/3 mile south and for about a mile north of the Palo Pinto county line to the line itself.

Howell said a “super” passing lane will make for a three-lane road which will allow for the ability to pass in both directions at different areas along the route.

Super passing lanes are also part of a scheduled project on US 380 from the Young County line to the Jacksboro city limits. Howell said there will be six miles of passing lanes set up in two-mile increments at different areas. Pending funding, the project is set to begin construction in FY 2021.

Barth said information from the Texas Transportation Commission is to cut the number of fatalities by 10 percent and the number of crashes by 20 percent statewide. It is the hope of local TxDOT officials to be able to do that with these projects.

“These are all good projects,” County Judge Mitchell Davenport said.

Barth said he hopes continued meetings like the one Tuesday will keep officials and the public apprised as to what is happening.