State to resurface US 285 south of city

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE; May 15, 2006

Highway crews also will resurface SH 1776 from FM 1450 to Pecos River, FM 1216 north from Pecos, and frontage roads on Interstate 20 west of Toyah

PECOS - Motorists in the Pecos area will find US 285, SH 1776, FM 1216 and the frontage roads on Interstate 20 west of Toyah a bit sticky over the next few weeks as construction crews put down fresh asphalt ‘seal coats’ to refresh and extend the life of the road surfaces.

The highways are being resurfaced by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). Work on the projects is expected to begin late this week [May 18] on FM 1776 and should be wrapped up by the end of the month, barring cold weather or rain, according to Jerry McGuairt, the Texas Department of Transportation’s project manager.

The contractor, Ronald R. Wagner and Co., of Kendalia, is putting down the new asphalt surfacing. Motorists will encounter workers who will direct them through the work zone, and brief lane closures in those areas where seal coat work is being done.

When the section of State Highway 1776 from the intersection of FM 1450 to the Pecos River is resurfaced, the Wagner crew will move to:

"Drivers should always use caution and drive carefully to avoid inflicting windshield and paint damage on other vehicles," said McGuairt.

The seal coat work in Reeves County is part of an annual $15 million preventive maintenance program involving 459 miles of highways throughout the 12-county TxDOT district.

‘Seal coat’ is a rock and asphalt layer put down on the highway surface as a preventive maintenance measure to seal the surface and keep moisture from damaging the road base. The seal coat extends the life of the highway.

For more information: contact Glen W. Larum, Texas Department of Transportation, at 432) 498-4746.