Project Overview

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is developing preliminary plans for the expansion of SH 31 from Loop 323 in Tyler, east to FM 1639 in Kilgore.

The project includes expanding the existing two-lane roadway to a four-lane divided highway. The public involvement process will help determine whether a flush and/or depressed median will be utilized.  The expansion will address safety concerns along the corridor.  

Details

Enhancements to this heavily traveled corridor would include:

• Widening from a two-lane road to a four-lane roadway with flush and/or depressed median, curb and gutter in the urban areas to accommodate expected growth in traffic
• Redesigning the roadway’s alignment to improve grades and curves to meet current design criteria

The project will require the acquisition of new right-of-way.

Get Involved

TxDOT hosted the first public meetings on Nov. 14, 2017, and Nov. 16, 2017, in an effort to engage the public.

TxDOT hosted the second public meeting on July 24, 2018, in an effort to engage the public.

TxDOT has tentatively scheduled the public hearing for spring of 2019. The hearing's details will be posted to this website as they become available. Adjacent property owners will also receive notification by mail. All interested citizens will have a chance to provide input, voice concerns and ask questions.  TxDOT and its consultants are taking the publics comments and concerns from the second public meeting and developing the final recommended alternative.  The final recommended alternative will be presented at the public hearing for interested parties to provide comments and feedback.

Schedule

The first public meetings were hosted Nov. 14, 2017 and Nov. 16, 2017, where 4 alternatives were presented to the public for comments and feedback.  TxDOT and its consultants  took the publics comments and concerns from the first public meetings and developed the preferred alternatives.  The second public meeting was hosted July 24, 2018, and a preferred alternative was shown with an additional second alternative shown through the Jackson Heights Community.  The preferred alternatives shown at the second public meeting is available at the Interactive Map link below. TxDOT and its consultants are taking public comments and concerns from the second public meeting and developing a final recommended alternative.  The final recommended alternative will be presented at the public hearing for interested parties to provide comments and feedback.

The preliminary engineering development will take approximately two years. TxDOT started work on the project in February 2017.

Next steps include the following:

• Preferred alternative finalized and environmentally cleared by spring of 2019
  
• Public hearing tentatively scheduled for spring 2019
• Right-of-way acquisitions are expected to begin in Spring of 2020
• Right-of-way acquisitions and construction plans are expected to be completed by Summer of 2023
• Funding for construction has not yet been identified

Downloads

• Project Map
• Interactive Map
• Environmental Map
  
• Proposed Intersection Improvements Animation

Contact Us

TxDOT Tyler District
Attn: Advanced Project Development Office
2709 W. Front St.
Tyler, TX 75702

(903) 510-9100
Email