In response to a significant increase in traffic, the Texas Department of Transportation Corpus Christi District on Monday will begin two construction projects on state Highway 72 in Live Oak County that are designed to improve the safety of the heavily traveled roadway.

The first project begins at Interstate 37 and extends three miles to U.S. 281 in Three Rivers. The project consists of widening the existing roadway to accommodate a continuous center turn lane.

The traveling public should expect intermittent lane closures.

Weather permitting, this project is estimated to take six months to complete.

The second project begins at U.S. 281 and extends west for about 10 miles to the McMullen County line. It involves widening the existing roadbed, which will be done intermittently on opposite sides of the road.

When the project is complete in about 11 months, state Highway 72 will be re-striped and will afford traffic passing opportunities.

Statistics show traffic increased more than 200 percent at state Highway 72 and U.S. 281 between 2010 and 2012.

In 2010, the average daily traffic count was about 2,900 vehicles. That rose to almost 8,900 vehicles in 2012, with 38 percent being truck traffic.

Both projects will be constructed concurrently.

Traffic control will be in place and motorists are urged to be aware of road crews operating in the work zone.