Smooth roads ahead

Pete Mendoza

The Texas Department of Transportation started a two year $20 million rehabilitation project on Jan. 8 on State Highway 4 with a traffic switch starting on Jan.15.

Public Information Officer of the Texas Department of Transportation for the Pharr district Ray Pedraza said the rehabilitation will be from I-69E to State Highway 48 with many improvements.

“The road improvements for State Highway 4 are going to be from I-69E and State Highway 48,” Pedraza said. “We’re upgrading the storm sewer system. We’re converting the pavement there from asphalt to concrete. We’re constructing continuous sidewalks and we’re adding new signage and striping.”

According to the Texas Department of Transportation media advisory there will be three phases to the project. The first phase will be from I-69E Frontage road to Taft Street. The second phase will be from Magnetek Drive to State Highway 48. Finally, phase 3 construction is from Taft Street to Magnetek Drive.

Pedraza mentioned what the traffic switch for phase one will be, however the upcoming traffic switches and detours are still pending.

“For phase one, what we have is that traffic shifts to the north side of the roadway,” he said. “As this work progresses through phase two and phase three, we will be announcing more details regarding detours and future traffic pattern changes.”

Pedraza said the main issue for the Texas Department of Transportation when it comes to construction is the safety of the workers. They are asking drivers to be vigilant while in work zones and to drive as safely as possible.

“The main issues are going to be creating a safe space for the workers to complete their work,” he said. “As with any construction project, we preach safety. So we advise drivers to always think safety first and give driving their full attention.”

For more information over State Highway construction visit txdot.gov.

This is Pete Mendoza for Vaquero Radio.