Road and Travel

TxDOT Tyler District releases 2023 fatal crash statistics

TYLER – In 2023, factors such as “unsafe speed”, “failure to drive in a single lane” and “alcohol-related DUI” contributed to 184 fatal crashes and 209 total deaths in the Tyler District. The TxDOT Tyler District, which includes Anderson, Cherokee, Gregg, Henderson, Rusk, Smith, Van Zandt, and Wood Counties, released preliminary numbers revealing the top-five

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Lane closures this week on FM 16 west of Lindale

Contractor crews with the Texas Department of Transportation have begun moving large beams for the new bridge on FM 16, west of Lindale, near Lindale Cemetery Road (CR 467), said TXDOT spokesman Jeff Williford. The operation will involve large, slow-moving equipment, lane closures, and short-duration roadway shutdowns. The delays are anticipated throughout the week. Motorists

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Cold start to new year as freezing temperatures, ice hit East Texas

It didn’t take long into the new year for winter’s fury to arrive as East Texans shivered through some serious, bone-chilling temperatures beginning early Monday (Jan. 15). Winter storm watches and warnings accompanied the icy weather with accumulations ranging to just under an inch in most places. Temperatures dropped into the lower teens late Monday

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‘This is going to be a game-changer for East Texas’

In a few years, an East Texan will be able to hop on passenger rail here and go West to DFW and beyond to the coast, East to Meridian, Mississippi, and beyond to Atlanta, Georgia. It’s been a long time coming – almost 20 years of negotiations, advocacy and some arm twisting – but a

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TxDOT urges you to find a sober ride during holidays

AUSTIN – The holiday season gets its official start next week as many Texans gather around the table for Thanksgiving dinner. But for the families of the 1,246 people killed last year in Texas by drunk drivers, holiday seasons will never be the same. Starting Dec. 1, 2022, there were 108 people killed and 229

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Texas Game Wardens Emphasize Water, Boating Safety This Labor Day Weekend

    AUSTIN—With the summer boating season winding down, many Texans are making plans to escape the unrelenting heat by hitting the water one last time. This holiday weekend, Texas Game Wardens are joining local law enforcement to patrol Texas lakes and rivers and remind everyone spending time around the water to follow basic safety

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TRAFFIC/WX ROAD CONDITION ALERT

TYLER – I-20 is closed both directions from US 69 to FM 14 in Smith County with multiple vehicles stranded, including several 18 wheelers, due to icy conditions. Motorists are urged to stay home. TxDOT crews continue to treat and retreat roadways but conditions are hazardous for travel. Remember bridges and elevated structures are the

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TxDOT EMBRACES GOAL TO END DEATHS ON TEXAS ROADS

AUSTIN – How many deaths are acceptable each year on Texas roads? That’s a question TxDOT is addressing through a new ambitious goal, which ultimately states that the answer to the question is zero. Every day for nearly 19 years at least one person has died on Texas roadways. Now TxDOT aims to reach a

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TXDOT URGES DRIVERS TO “LOOK TWICE FOR MOTORCYCLES”

  AUSTIN – As spring weather draws more motorcyclists onto roadways the risk of fatalities increases. Last year 417 motorcyclists died on Texas roadways, an average of more than one fatality a day. It’s a number the Texas Department of Transportation is working to reduce by asking motorists to be extra vigilant. TxDOT is launching “Share

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Smith County Road Report

More than six miles of major roadwork was completed in February, while another 18.5 miles of road construction projects are beginning. Smith County Engineer Frank Davis gave his monthly report to the Commissioners Court on Tuesday. He said only 2.96 miles of roads were paved last month because of rain. More than 5 miles of

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