July TxDOT Highway Letting Dates

The July Texas Department of Transportation's highway letting is scheduled for July 1 and 2. According to an April 28 report, 38 projects are approved to be let with an estimated total of $454,219,742.

The report also cited that projects could be added, advanced or delayed as deemed necessary.

Texas Transportation Hall Welcomes New Members

Four men representing the political, administrative, research and construction professions that produced the state's modern transportation system were recently inducted into the Texas Transportation Hall of Honor.

Former Texas Gov. Dolph Briscoe Jr., former State Department of Highways and Public Transportation engineer-director Luther DeBerry, Texas Transportation Institute director emeritus Charley V. Wootan and Zachry Construction Corp. founder H.B. Zachry were honored by induction into the hall.

Briscoe and DeBerry accepted their honors during a ceremony in Austin while Wootan's honor was accepted by his widow, Doxie. Zachry's honor was accepted by his son, H.B. Zachry Jr.

The Texas Transportation Hall of Honor was established in 2000 to recognize visionary leaders who helped to provide Texas with its outstanding transportation system.

"The Hall of Honor is intended to recognize that small group of people whose exceptional leadership and vision made possible the outstanding transportation system we enjoy today in Texas," said TTI Deputy Director Dennis Christiansen. "We're proud and thankful to recognize these four great leaders for what they've given to the people of Texas and the nation."

Project Opens New Link To San Antonio RiverWalk

San Antonio-based Guido Brothers Construction Co. recently completed work on the $4.9 million Presa Street Linkage Project, opening the city's popular RiverWalk to daylight as well as providing wheelchair access to the attractions below street level.

A lane from the former roadway was removed to expose the tectonic skeleton of the Presa Street Bridge and allows natural light to penetrate below. The decorative nature of the project included ornately decorated, hand-forged, bronze and brass handrails leading to a walkway and waterfall feature that cascades from street to river level.

Multi-tiered planters adorn both sides of the stone staircase and eight unique glass medallions complete the transformation. The decorative etched-glass sidewalk medallions, which are illuminated from behind with neon and depict "different aspects of native wildlife and contemporary downtown imagery," were created by San Antonio artist Cathy Cunningham.

The project earned a Best Public Project award for Guido Brothers. The award was given by the San Antonio Downtown Alliance.

Rural Texas Town Receives Grant For Water Projects

The Office of Rural Community Affairs recently announced the awarding of a Texas Community Development Program grant to the City of West Tawakoni, located in Hunt County northeast of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

The $321,590 grant will provide funding to help install facilities for fire hydrants and first-time water and sewer service to local households through TCDP's Texas Small Towns Environment Program.

West Tawakoni volunteers will install approximately 2,790 linear ft. of sewer main, sewer force main and a lift station to provide first-time sewer service to approximately 23 households, some which have been waiting as long as 25 years to connect to city service.

Volunteers will also replace approximately 19,600 linear ft. of 2-in. tuberculated water line with 6-in. water line, gate valves and 31 fire hydrants to serve approximately 70 households.

"I know these improvements will be beneficial to the citizens of West Tawakoni and I applaud them for taking the initiative to pursue this ORCA grant," said state Rep. Dan Flynn. "This project is a great example of what can be accomplished with a coordinated effort between the state and a local community."

The combined projects will benefit 304 persons of whom 71 percent are of low- to moderate-income.

Construction Zone Safety In Spotlight For TxDOT

increased safety in its various construction zones throughout the state by changing the color on its safety signs and designs.

TxDOT has recently changed to the use of a prismatic fluorescent orange coloring on all work zone signs and safety devices, making them much more visible to motorists.

"Road conditions can change in work zones and it is our job to make sure motorists receive proper warning," said Carlos Lopez, TxDOT director of traffic operations. "Texas motorists must heed the warnings to increase safety in work zones."

The fluorescent nature of the orange coloring will make work zone signs much more visible, especially during dawn and dusk and in foggy conditions. The signs will also be overlaid with prismatic retro-reflective sheeting to increase brightness at night.

The brighter signs will start showing up on Texas roads later this year.