BISHOP, Texas — Traffic will switch Wednesday afternoon to a new section of US 77 just south of Robstown.
Drivers will take the new lanes on southbound US 77 around noon Wednesday, TxDOT officials said. It is part of the US 77 Driscoll Relief Route Project. Here's what drivers can expect:
- Around noon Wednesday, the new section of US 77 southbound mainlanes will be opened to traffic. Motorists are urged to slow down and drive with caution in the transition area since workers may still be present.
- Driscoll traffic is encouraged to use FM 665 exit.
- Also, around noon Wednesday, the new section of US 77 southbound frontage road will be opened to traffic. Again, motorists are urged to slow down and drive with caution since workers may be present.
"The relief route project is part of a larger, ongoing initiative to upgrade sections of US 77 to Interstate 69 standards in order to enhance mobility and safety by removing high-speed interstate traffic from low-speed urban traffic, a statement from TxDOT said.
These sections of roads are considered "controlled access" by TxDOT. 3NEWS spoke with TxDOT spokesperson Ricky Dailey about what that controlled access update will mean for drivers who frequent the area.
"So, what that means is that you enter and leave the mainlanes or the freeway by entrance or entrance or exit ramps. You don't have traffic pulling out from side roads on to the mainlanes, or trying to cross the mainlanes to get to the other side of the highway," he said.
Dailey said that those types of conflict points that were once in the area are what cause accidents. By reducing that cross traffic, Dailey said that it will significantly increase the safety factor in the area. As part of the Driscoll Relief Project, the new section of US 77's southbound frontage road will also be open to traffic.
"These new frontage roads will provide safer access to businesses and residences that may develop along that road. So again, you don't have traffic turning off of mainlanes and into a driveway to access a business. Now they're on the frontage road," he said.
The project began in February 2019 and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
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