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U.S. 82 intersection in Bonham open despite nearby damage

Construction along I-30, U.S. Hwy. 82 and S.H. 24 continues through this month. The structural damage near the intersection of U.S. Hwy. 82 and S.H. 78 does not pose a danger to drivers, TxDOT has said.
TxDOT
Construction along I-30, U.S. Hwy. 82 and S.H. 24 continues through this month. The structural damage near the intersection of U.S. Hwy. 82 and S.H. 78 does not pose a danger to drivers, TxDOT has said.

Structural damage near the intersection of U.S. Hwy. 82 and S.H. 78 in Bonham has alarmed drivers, but the highways remain open. A nearby U-turn lane has been closed.

Audio transcript

Mark Haslett: Traffic patterns throughout the region are different this week, as many students are on Spring Break. While Commerce might feel a bit under-populated at the moment, Interstate 30 and area highways have increased traffic from people passing through. On I-30, work continues in the Royse City area, so Northeast Texas drivers should allow extra time when going to or returning from Dallas. Interstate 30 is also the site of work just west of Sulphur Springs. 

Elsewhere around the region, construction continues on the U.S. Highway 82 project between Paris and Sherman. More lanes are being added to that road, with current work sites located just west of Paris and just west of Bonham. Also along U.S. 82, some damage near an overpass in Bonham has caused some local concern.

Tim McAlavy: It's overpass damage and it's at the Highway 82 and State Highway 78 intersection.

Haslett: Tim McAlavy with the Texas Department of Transportation. U.S. Highway 82 crosses over Texas Highway 78 in Bonham. Last Friday, people noticed crumbling concrete, not on the bridge itself, but on the concrete slope near the overpass. The damage was caused by shifting soils underneath what engineers call a rip-rap.

McAlavy: Both roadways are safe and still open. The damage is to what we call the concrete rip-rap, which is kind of the concrete siding that wraps along the big earthen berm that supports an overpass. We had some cracks in the pavement and a little drainage problem and over the years water has continued to seep in there and saturate the ground underneath. And all the recent moisture we've had this winter - the melting snow and ice and the continued rain - that ground just became saturated and it slipped. 

Haslett: TxDOT crews have determined that both Highway 82 and Highway 78 remain safe for travel, so those roads remain open. However, a westbound U-turn lane at the intersection has been closed. As for the damage, it should be repaired in the near future, but no timetable has been set. 

Mark Haslett has served at KETR since 2013. Since then, the station's news operation has enjoyed an increase in listener engagement and audience metrics, as well recognition in the Texas AP Broadcasters awards.