BEEVILLE — Work on passing lanes on U.S. Highway 181 between Normanna and the Karnes County line is scheduled to start sometime in February.

The Texas Department of Transportation has announced that last month, Hunter Industries of San Marcos submitted the low bid for the project.

“This is a much-needed safety project,” says Precinct 2 County Commissioner Dennis DeWitt.

Numerous letters to the editor, complaining about traffic problems on the highway, and public meetings in which drivers complained about safety issues related to increased truck traffic associated with the Eagle Ford Shale oil boom preceded the TxDOT decision.

TxDOT says it hopes the new passing lanes will be completed by the end of the year.

DeWitt commends TxDOT for pushing the project forward on shortened notice and also for securing the necessary funding.

“TxDOT officials listened and acted.”