The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) will soon begin a project to rehabilitate and resurface a portion of Texas 7 in Falls and Limestone counties.

The project will consist of widening the shoulders and resurfacing approximately 15 miles of Texas 7 from the Texas 6 bypass in Marlin, east to the intersection of Texas 14, in Limestone County. Additionally, safety treatments will be applied to culvert-ends at cross drainage locations under the roadway and adjoining private driveways. Also, reconstruction work to improve sight distances and driving safety will remove all trees on the right-of-way along the roadway.

Work will begin on Tuesday, September 6, 2005, with the placement of barricades, warning signs, and other traffic control devices along Texas 7. Actual construction should get underway shortly thereafter, and is scheduled for completion in the Fall of 2007, weather permitting. Big Creek Construction Company, LTD of Waco will undertake the project at a cost of $10.6 million.

A regulatory speed limit reduction from 70 to 55 mph will be posted and in go into effect throughout work zones, outside of urban areas, as the project progresses. This reduction will result in fines being doubled for speed limit violations when workers are present in the construction area. Periodic temporary lane closures and some traffic congestion can be expected.

TxDOT urges the public to observe all warning signs and to exercise caution when passing near construction personnel and equipment in the project area.