This US 69 Corridor segment is between FM 1003 in Kountze and FM 1943 near Warren and is known as the "US 69 Gateway to the Big Thicket." Actual construction timing will vary and the specific alignment is still being determined. The public is encouraged to visit the US 69 Corridor project page for more background about other potential segment areas in the Beaumont District area.

Proposed Benefits

The proposed project is anticipated to improve safety and mobility along U.S. 69 during emergency evacuations by reducing the number of conflict points and providing better access.

Proposed Improvements

The proposed project includes the following improvements:

• Widen and improve US 69 from FM 1003 (north of Kountze) to FM 1943 (near Warren) in Hardin and Tyler Counties to a four-lane, divided roadway with shoulders, an evacuation lane on the northbound lanes, and a median. The existing roadway includes a two-lane, undivided roadway with shoulders and no median 
• Design the roadway to add two 12-foot travel lanes in each direction
• Design the roadway to include four-foot inside shoulders, a 10-foot outside shoulder on the southbound lanes and a 12-foot outside shoulder on the northbound lanes that serves as a hurricane evacuation lane; hurricane evacuation lanes are roadway shoulders that may be used as travel lanes during times of significant congestion such as during mandatory evacuations

The project would also extend the existing 10-foot hike-and-bike trail along the entire length of the project limits, in an effort to improve potential connectivity to the existing hike-and-bike trails within the Big Thicket National Preserve. Three new trailheads and one new parking area would also be constructed. The proposed project would incorporate Context Sensitive Solutions improving awareness of the surrounding resources by use of monument signage to identify local amenities. Public input from the open house and interactive online survey have been considered and incorporated into the project design where appropriate.

The existing right-of-way (ROW) width is typically 100 feet wide but varies up to 120 feet wide in limited locations.  The proposed ROW width would be approximately 300 feet wide. The proposed project would, subject to final design considerations, require additional ROW and potentially displace five residences and two other non-residential structures. Please review the landowner's rights publications, which contains more information about the TxDOT Relocation Assistance Program concerning services and benefits for displaced persons and businesses if needed.

Project Development Schedule

Following is the project development schedule; subject to change:

• Public involvement on Beaumont District US 69 Corridor: Began Spring 2017 to gain early feedback and is ongoing throughout the project
• Public meeting: Feb. 19, 2019
  
• Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) Workshops held Dec. 5, 2019, May 7, 2019 and Sept. 25, 2019
• Meetings with Affected Property Owners September 2020
• Public hearing: Nov. 19, 2020
• Complete environmental clearance/approval: Late 2020/Early 2021
• Finalize design and construction plans: Spring 2023
  
  • Note: The project’s letting has been moved from May 2021 to September 2023
    

Get Involved

• Nov. 19, 2020 - Virtual Public Hearing with In-Person Option
• Feb. 19, 2019 - Open House

The public may subscribe for study updates, check the Beaumont District Twitter page and contact the Beaumont District Office with questions.

Downloads

• US 69 Beaumont District Corridor Map
• US 69 Corridor Gateway to the Big Thicket Segment Location Map
• Project Newsletter #1
• Project Newsletter #2
• Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) Workshops:
  • Executive Summary
  • CSS Workshop #1 - December 2018
  • CSS Workshop #2 - May 2019
  • CSS Workshop #3 - November 2019 

Contact Us

TxDOT Beaumont District
8350 Eastex Freeway
Beaumont, TX 77708
(409) 892-7311
Email