State rebuilding 20-mile section of IH-20

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE; April 7, 2006

Construction will slow traffic between Monahans and Pyote

Roadwork is getting underway next week [starting April 10] on a 20-mile stretch of Interstate 20 between Monahans and Pyote, according to a Texas Department of Transportation official in Odessa.

"There will be times during construction when westbound and eastbound traffic will be restricted to one lane each direction for short distances and there will be ramp closures," said Dan Dalager, the TxDOT engineer in charge of the project. "There also will be overnight lane closures."

"During the first phase of the project, the ramps will be closed at Pyote [Exit 66] and Monahans [Exit 83] for about 7-10 days," said Dalager. Message boards will be placed ahead of the affected locations, advising motorists to use alternate exits. Other exits to be affected during construction include Exit 70 [Spur 65], Exit 73 [FM 1219], Exit 76 [BI-20D west of Monahans], Exit 79 [Loop 464], and Exit 80 [State Highway 18].

The 20-mile area to be affected is from just east of Monahans to west of the intersection with FM 1927 at Pyote. The final phase –resurfacing –should be finished by mid-July, said Dalager.

The contractor for the $7.6 million project is Jones Bros. Dirt and Paving, Inc., of Odessa. The contractor is excavating six (6) inches of the existing pavement, reworking and cement-treating the base, then placing 4½ inches of hot mix, a rubber seal, and a one-inch rubber-modified hot mix surface.

Motorists are urged to obey all warning signs and remember that state law doubles all traffic fines within a construction area for violations occurring when workers are present.

For more information: Contact Dan Dalager at 432-498-4770 or Glen Larum at 432-498-4746.