By Kevin Jefferies
Commerce – A major project along Highway 276 between Quinlan and Rockwall is scheduled to officially begin today. More than 10 years of planning have gone into the widening of the roadway and is projected to cost over $10 million. The first stage of the two stage project will focus on the stretch of Highway 276 between FM Road 35 and FM 36. The two lane road will be widened to five lanes which will include two lanes on each side and a continuous turn lane.
Workers begin setting up barriers today with the first dirt work set to begin Monday. A. K. Gillis and Sons of Sulphur Springs are the contractors on the project and have 414 calendar days to finish work.
The second phase of the project covers Highway 276 from the intersection of FM 35 to the Rockwall County line. Construction on that stretch is set to begin in early 2006.