A Texas Department of Transportation press release detailed a major traffic switch will severely limit access to East Yukon Road as the overpass project on East Loop 338 and East Yukon Road takes the next step in construction.
TxDOT says the traffic switch is scheduled to go into effect Tuesday and be in place for eight weeks.
The project will force the closure of the Yukon Road crossover of Loop 338 as well as the segment of Yukon Road between Loop 338 and Faudree Road, the press release stated. There will be no way to cross Loop 338 from one part of Yukon to the other part of Yukon.
TxDOT says the northbound Loop 338 will not have any way to access Yukon Road. The southbound Loop 338 will be able to turn west on to Yukon. The eastbound Yukon Road traffic will be forced to turn south on Loop 338.
Since the intersection is coming out for the short term, the traffic signals will be removed, the press release stated. Only eastbound Yukon Road will have a stop sign in this phase.
“We realize this is a huge inconvenience for motorists, but it really is a necessary step as we build this overpass,” interim Odessa District Engineer Lauren Garduno stated in the press release. “This is an important project for the community, and we do not take these steps lightly. We appreciate the patience of the traveling public as they have to find alternate routes for their daily routines because of this project.”
There are two major alternate east-west routes for those who routinely use Yukon Road: Highway 191 and 52nd/56th Street (the road that has a traffic signal on East Loop 338 between Yukon Road and Highway 191).
The speed limit has been reduced to 65 mph on Loop 338 through the construction zone. A heavy law enforcement presence may be in use at times to improve safety.
At some stages, a width restriction will be put in place in the work zone.
The overpass project is scheduled to be completed in mid-2023.
Motorists are reminded that state law requires them to obey warning signs and flaggers in the work zone.
Ragle Construction Inc. of Euless won the project with a low bid of a little more than $15.7 million.
