“During the summer, the Karnes County community asked TxDOT to help improve roadway safety due to increases in traffic and changes in traffic patterns. Working with the public, community leaders and elected officials, TxDOT identified safety solutions and moved quickly to implement them. TxDOT appreciates the support and cooperation we have received in our ongoing efforts to improve safety and accommodate the increased economic activity in the region,” said Lonnie Gregorcyk, P.E, District Engineer for the TxDOT Corpus Christi District.
The two new signals set to be turned on Wednesday are at the intersections of US 181 and FM 1353 in Karnes City and at US 181 and FM 1145 in Kenedy. The signals will be flashing Monday and electronic message boards will alert drivers to the new signals. Other improvements at the intersections include advance warning signs, rumble strips and illumination.
TxDOT relied on interagency flexibility to reduce the completion time for these projects.
“First, we brought in material such as poles and signal heads from other TxDOT districts and then we amended an existing contract to allow a contractor from the Rio Grande Valley to come in and do the work in our district. Both of these actions significantly shortened the time these projects would have otherwise taken,” said Ismael Soto, P.E., Director of Traffic Operations for the TxDOT Corpus Christi District.
Four other new traffic signals are nearing completion in Karnes County. In Karnes City, they are at the intersections of US 181 and FM 99 and at SH 123 (Badger Street) and SH 80 north of Karnes City High School. In Kenedy, they are at the intersections of SH 72 and FM 1145 and at US 181 and Business Park Boulevard in front of the Wal-Mart.
All of the new signals are built to TxDOT’s maximum height of 19 feet to accommodate oversized truck traffic and to improve visibility.
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