REEVES COUNTY Work on U.S. Highway 285 has hit a critical junction that will affect traffic patterns between Pecos and Orla in Reeves County starting Monday, according to a Texas Department of Transportation news release.
A bridge-class culvert will be replaced at 4-Mile Draw. The work will leave only one lane available for traffic to cross the culvert. Temporary traffic signals will be in operation around the clock at the culvert. Running a red light in this situation could be catastrophic, the release stated.
The lane will be limited to 11-foot wide loads. The physical structure will be very narrow and will not be wide enough to allow two vehicles to pass or to allow wide loads to cross, according to the release. The speed limit in the work zone will be 45 miles per hour.
The culvert work is expected to leave only one lane of travel available for the next two months. Delays can be expected. Alternate routes are strongly encouraged if possible. TxDOT officials are reminding motorists that state law requires them to obey pilot cars and warning signs as well as any flaggers encountered in the work zone.
This is part of a project to improve about 10.8 miles of Highway 285 between County Road 232 and Orla (RM 652) north of Pecos. Constructors Inc. of Carlsbad, N.M., won the project with a low bid of $12,525,496, according to the release.
A second project is under way just to the south of this project. Two additional projects for U.S. Highway 285 are scheduled for bid openings in April and May.
