Monday, April 29, 2024
Backups at the intersection of U.S. Highway 377 and SH 171 in Cresson will continue as crews face delays in completing the Cresson relief route. Photo by David Montesino
It’s going to be a longer wait for the long-awaited Cresson Relief Route.
The Texas Department of Transportation has confirmed that instead of the bypass opening to traffic in late 2023, it will not be completed until 2024.
“Work is currently underway to prepare for setting bridge beams for the four small wetland bridges followed by paving of the southbound relief route lanes,” TxDOT Public Information Officer Bethany Kurtz stated in an email to the Hood County News. “The additional bridge work has caused an adjustment to the estimated projection completion date to 2024.”
Although Kurtz didn’t state when in 2024 the road might be ready for traffic, the website of San Antonio-based Zachry Construction Corporation says it will be December of that year.
That company was awarded a $61 million contract in April 2019 to construct a three-mile bypass west of Cresson, on the Weatherford side of U.S. Highway 377.
The work includes the construction of bridges over the Fort Worth and Western Railroad tracks.
Once finished, motorists will no longer have to endure the lengthy backups that sometimes occur at the intersection of 377 and SH 171, where there is a railyard switching station.
Kurtz, as well as Cresson Mayor Teena Conway, indicated that recent rumors of financial troubles for Zachry that might further delay or even halt the project are not true.
“Zachry Construction has not notified TxDOT of any issues, financial or otherwise, that would impact the completion of this project,” Kurtz stated in her email.
Conway emailed the HCN to say that she phoned Jimmey Bodiford, construction manager for Teague Nall and Perkins, Inc., and Cresson’s liaison with TxDOT and Zachry, to inquire about the rumors.
In her Aug. 24 message, the mayor wrote: “There are no concerns with Zachry and the project. He did know of a contractor responsible for the underlayment (paving before concrete goes down) that is struggling, but he fully expects them to be on the job again next week after the rain diminishes. He shared that Zachry is discussing moving in their own concrete plant for this project.”
Conway said that Bodiford also stated that “even if a contractor defaulted, they have insurance and would bring in another contractor to complete. But, in this situation, this is not the case.”
