The Huntsville Item, Huntsville, TX

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  • Workers from Smith and Company construction prepare a crane for use Monday along Highway 19 and Highway 75 South. Construction on Highway 19 continues with many changes taking place today. The project is expected to be complete by spring 2013.

    Highway 19 roadwork

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February 6, 2012

Highway 19 ramps are closing

By Tori Brock Staff Reporter

HUNTSVILLE — Changes are coming to Highway 19 as several on and off ramps are set to close today.

These changes are part of a series of traffic switches that will happen between now and the project's spring 2013 completion date.

Ashley Hill, transportation engineer for the Texas Department of Transportation, said the changes will affect motorists but will give Smith and Company, the contractor, room to begin construction on new parts of the highway.

“It's going to be different, but I don’t think it should be confusing,” she said. “This is going to enable the contractor to build that piece of the main lane and the exit ramp.”

Starting today, the Highway 75 exit ramp off of Highway 19 will close. To get to Highway 75 when going north, you will now go past 75, take the Bearkat Boulevard exit then travel under Highway 19 where the new ramp will be open.

The Bearkat Boulevard ramp will now be one way, exit only. To get back on Highway 19 from Bearkat Boulevard, drivers will use new ramps that will open Wednesday.

Detour signage will be in place to help motorists in navigating the new entrance and exit ramps.

“We are very proud of the job Smith and Company has done so far,” said Bob Colwell, TxDOT spokesman. “It's right on track.”

On Wednesday, the Highway 19 ramp on the south side of Highway 190 will be converted to a one-way southbound entrance ramp onto Highway 19.

Northbound traffic on Highway 19 that wants to access Highway 190 will use the Bearkat Boulevard exit and the newly constructed frontage road.

Traffic on Highway 190 will use the converted ramp to access southbound Highway 19 and the existing two-way ramp to access northbound Highway 19, Colwell said.   

Construction on  Highway 19 is a $14.3 million project that will make Highway 19 a four-lane highway with entrance and exit ramps from Interstate 45 North and Highway 30.

Also today, Doughtie Construction, will permanently close the FM 1791 crossover on Highway 30. Construction will begin on concrete pavement for new frontage roads at this intersection. Signage will show motorists where to detour while a bridge is constructed over Highway 30 for those traveling on FM 1791.

For more information, call Colwell at (979) 778-9764.

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