Several road projects on the horizon across county

Several new road projects are on the horizon in Milam County.

Last week Milam County Judge Steve Young said he met with Texas Department of Transportation District Engineer of the Bryan District Lance Simmons for an update on upcoming projects.

Young said the projects have an estimated cost of around $78 million and they are all needed projects that will help transportation in the county.

There are plans to widen the road where the BNSF overpass goes over Highway 36 on the far eastern side of the county. TxDOT will widen the overpass from two lanes to four lanes at a cost of around $14 million. This project will start in 2019.

There are also plans to widen or replace bridges and approaches at the following locations: Little River Bridge over FM 486; CR 215 at Big Elm Creek; CR 147 at Big Elm Creek; US 77 at Walkers Creek; US 77 at Little Pond Creek; FM 486 at Alligator Creek; FM 486 at Brushy Creek; FM 908 at Reese Creek; FM 2095 at Pin Oak Creek; and FM 908 at Brushy Creek.

Work will also be done to rehabilitate several roadways including: FM 1915 from FM 485 to US 77; FM 485 will be widened from US 77 to the Bell County line; FM 845 will be widened from US 190 to South Karnes Street; FM 486 from FM 487 to FM 3061; and FM 1444 will be widened from US 77 to FM 1445.

Young said there are still plans to build an overpass at the intersection of FM 485 and US 77. However, the $14 million project is not currently funded.