FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE; January 23, 2006

Repairs on FM 549, between SH 276 and FM 1139, will take place on Monday, Jan. 23, in Rockwall. The southbound lane of FM 549 will be closed to traffic at 9 a.m. on Monday. The cost of the project is under $1 million.

"We will do full depth repairs on this roadway thus providing a better ride for motorists," said Makram Bataineh, P.E., assistant area engineer of the Texas Department of Transportation’s Northeast Dallas Area Office.

The southbound lane will remain closed for seven weeks. Southbound traffic will be detoured to SH 205 and SH 276. Message boards, detour signs and other signs will be in place to direct traffic.

Once the southbound repairs are complete, the lane will reopen for traffic and repairs on the northbound lane will begin. The northbound lane will be closed to traffic for approximately three weeks. Northbound traffic also will be rerouted to SH 205 and SH 276.

Austin Bridge and Road will serve as the contractor of this project. Repairs to FM 549 are expected to wrap up in April 2006.

For more information contact: Angela Loston Public Information Office at 214-320-4483.