hrt4me

From: Val Lopez
To: Val Lopez
Sent: Wednesday, June 13, 2012 2:29 PM
Subject: Fwd: TxDOT press release - Maintenance begins on area roadways

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) would like to keep you informed of upcoming seal coat procedures in the area so that your bicycle groups can plan their routes accordingly. Attached is a press release that details seal coat work that will start next week on select frontage roads in Tarrant County. This year's seal coat program will use a smaller size rock that once embedded will provide a smoother, quieter ride for cyclists using the frontage roads.

Throughout the summer, seal coat operations will be underway in the surrounding counties as well. On these rural roadways where a shoulder is present, the smaller rock will also be placed to assist cyclists. TxDOT will continue to forward you these routes and keep you informed as the work progresses.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

Sincerely,


Val Lopez, Public Information Officer
Texas Department of Transportation- Fort Worth District
817-370-6630


>>> Val Lopez 6/13/2012 2:13 PM >>>
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 13, 2012
Tarrant County

Maintenance begins on area roadways

WHERE: Segments of Interstate 20 and Interstate 820 frontage roads in Southern Tarrant County

WHEN: Beginning June 18 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., weather permitting

WHAT: Starting next week, I-20 frontage roads from Campus Drive to Anglin Drive and I-820 from U.S. 287 to Rosedale Street will be improved through seal coats. TxDOT’s seal coat program is the department’s most cost-effective means of maintaining the Texas highway system. A seal coat can extend the life expectancy of a given roadway by many years, at a fraction of the cost of resurfacing.

The maintenance work will have the frontage road reduced to one lane during construction. Motorists can plan their travel by viewing information on the closures at our TxDOT website at:

www.txdot.gov/travel/road_conditions.htm

A You Tube video explaining what a seal coat is and their benefits is available at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cMLAOCGMfA

We appreciate motorist’s patience while crews complete this maintenance work. During construction, alternate routes are encouraged.


- 30 -

Val Lopez, Public Information Officer
(817) 370-6630
Cell (817) 205-7174 &n bsp;
vlopez@dot.state.tx.us

richfell

Nice. Maybe I'll give a call and see if they can hit Austin next.

nkfrench 

I talked with this gentleman at a public open house a few years ago. One of my/my club's favorite routes had just been repaved with really rough chipseal and I could no longer tolerate riding on it. I explained how cyclists can get nerve damage from road buzz. I told him I had to take two weeks off the bike when I could no longer use my right hand for daily activities - holding a fork or pen, buttoning or zipping clothes, opening doors, and more.

He seemed surprised and did not realize the effects of rough chipseal.

The severe nerve damage improved, but I now have minor ulnar nerve damage that appears to be permanent in both hands. At some point I will need to make some difficult decisions.

bergerandfries

Charles Riou is the Statewide TxDOT bicycle coordinator. He is in Austin. His number is area code five one two, 486-5112. email is chales.riou at txdot.gov

aikigreg

That's amazing and if they start doing this across the state, I'll love TXDOT forever.

Jamesw2

I sent an email and thanked him for his concerns. Also watch the video.

Thanks for the post

Don in Austin

Sorry to hear that you are hurting. But why did not you not change to different tires before it got to the point of injury?

Don in Austin

hrt4me

I attribute the recent cycling advocacy in Fort Worth at least in part to Mayor Betsy Price, who took a spill earlier today...

https://www.wfaa.com/news/local/Fort-...159315285.html

Creakyknees

very nice of TXDOT to be in touch and listening!