TxDOT schedules two-day fix for coming weekend

MURPHY (September 3, 2011) The tooth-rattling, bone-jarring, catch-you-by-surprise bump that unaffectionately greets motorists traveling on FM 544 at the Kansas City Southern Railroad tracks will undergo some more work soon in an attempt to smooth it out. The vehicle/railroad intersection was re-planked last November and will once again be closed for portions of two or three days to accommodate the work, according to City Manager James Fisher. The City of Murphy is not involved in the repair, but will be assisting in managing traffic movement through the area during the work.
“The Texas Department of Transportation is working with the contractor and it appears that there will be activity starting on the evening of Thursday, September 8 and again on the evening of Friday, September 9,” he said. The work will occur in phases, affecting the eastbound lanes on one evening and the westbound lanes the next. The contractor has told TxDOT that they will remain fluid in how they will progress with the work, gauging the most effective and least obtrusive method. It appears that the work can be finished before the end of the weekend.
The work order, however, gives TxDOT until noon on Monday, Sept. 12 to complete the work. The area affected is the quarter-mile portion of FM 544 between Brand Road on the east and Heritage Parkway on the west. The Murphy Police Department has developed a traffic plan to deal with the disruption, the majority of which will likely occur on Saturday, Sept. 10. Most traffic will be diverted to Heritage Parkway during the repair work.
“There will be large construction equipment, workers and material that will be utilized in this repair. It’s really best if people avoid the area completely,” said Fisher.
For more information regarding this closure, please contact Barry Heard with TxDOT at 972-542-2345.