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Flooded State Highway 24 Reopens, Construction Continues

State Highway 24 (at John’s Creek) reopened late Tuesday afternoon after being closed due to excessive flooding, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. The Delta County Sheriff’s office has been informing drivers to be aware some GPS devices (such as on cell phones) has not been updating with detour information, when deemed necessary.

The DCSO said if the need arises again due to weather-related flooding, traffic will be detoured to Farm-to-Market 904 to FM 1532 to FM 64.

“Some of the water has receded, but some of the cement from construction has separated,” said Delta County Sheriff Ricky Smith this past Tuesday morning. The department has been utilizing social media and the Cooper Review for updates on the road closure situation.

All other roads other than FM 71 at the Hopkins County line are back open following the weekend’s torrential rain of five to seven inches in the East Texas area. During which several other Delta County roads including parts of FM 128, FM 1530, FM 1529 (north of SH 154) and FM 904 (south of FM 3132) were temporarily closed.

Drivers are reminded it is a Class B Misdemeanor to drive around barricades put in place due to high water over the roadway.

Drivers also need to be aware of road construction delays in Delta, Lamar and Hopkins counties. Workers in Delta County are working on replacing the Brushy Creek bridge on State Highway 19 near Country Club road.

According to the Texas Department of Transportation, in Lamar County, the contractor will replace these bridges: FM 197 at Collard Creek, with an on-site detour; FM 1501 at Brushy Creek and West Brushy creek, with road closures; FM 1149 at Drain Creek, with a road closure; and FM 1184 at Justiss Creek, with a road closure.

Work in these two counties should be completed by Winter 2017 with a price tag of just four million dollars. TxDoT has authorized Highway 19 Construction LLC to do the work.

While in Hopkins County the road is temporarily one lane for over four miles allowing for a new sealcoat and remarking of the surface to occur. Drivers are urged to allow for extended wait times in their travels as many as fifty vehicles have been in line to await the pilot car.  TxDoT urges wherever possible, motorists are urged to use alternate travel routes where a road closure is noted.

Drivers are urged to travel with caution and to stay alert.