TxDOT is developing preliminary plans for improvements to FM 16 from four miles west of FM 849 to US 69 in Lindale. These improvements will help the City of Lindale expand the east-west corridor in anticipation of future growth and connect to Toll 49.

Details

Enhancements to this heavily traveled corridor would include:

• Widening from a two-lane road to a four-lane divided highway with curb and gutter in the urban area to accommodate expected growth in traffic
• Adding a continuous center left-turn lane to provide additional safety
• Incorporating a designated bicycle lane in the urban section and a 10-foot shoulder in the rural section for cyclists
• Redesigning the roadway’s alignment to improve grades and curves

In addition, the proposed improvements would provide on and off access to Toll 49. The project would require the acquisition of additional right of way.

Get Involved

A public meeting was held on Sept. 15, 2015 to present three widening alternatives for the project (shown below) and to offer property owners and interested citizens a chance to provide input, voice concerns and have their questions answered.

• Project Map
• Alternative Alignment - One (widens to existing centerline)
• Alternative Alignment - Two (widens to the north)
• Alternative Alignment - Three (widens to the south)

Schedule

TxDOT and its consultants will review all comments and work toward identifying a recommended alignment. The recommended alignment will be presented for public comment at a public meeting to be held in early 2016 and will be evaluated (along with a no-build alternative) in an environmental assessment.

The environmental assessment will examine potential project-related impacts as well as measures to avoid, minimize or mitigate those impacts. The environmental assessment will be subject to an extensive review process and coordination with agencies such as the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the Texas Historical Commission and others. A decision on the environmental assessment (possible environmental clearance) is anticipated in the fall of 2017.

Assuming environmental clearance is received, the next steps would be right-of-way acquisitions and the development of construction plans. Right-of-way acquisition is tentatively expected to begin in 2018. Right-of-way acquisition and construction plans should be completed in 2019.

Construction is anticipated to begin in 2020, pending available funding.

Contact Us

TxDOT Tyler District
Attention: Advanced Project Development Office
2709 West Front St.
Tyler, TX 75702

(903) 510-9100
Email