[Ansteorra] Latest TxDOT Updates - Rita

Thu Sep 22 13:35:26 PDT 2005

And boy is it a strange sight to see traffic moving north on BOTH sides of
I-45 (I live about 5 min from I-45 in Willis --- north of Conroe)

Isobail

-----Original Message-----
From: ansteorra-bounces+isobail=ev1.net at ansteorra.org
[mailto:ansteorra-bounces+isobail=ev1.net at ansteorra.org] On Behalf Of Martha
A. Compton
Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2005 1:10 PM
To: ansteorra at ansteorra.org; steppes at ansteorra.org
Subject: [Ansteorra] Latest TxDOT Updates - Rita

      FYI

Sept, 22 2005

      Emergency Special Statement

          The Texas Department of Transportation has been asked to
contra-flow Interstate 45 from Houston to Buffalo, about midway between
Dallas and Houston.
          This will be the largest reversal of traffic in Texas history.
          TxDOT emergency management coordinator Scott Alley said the State
Operations Center requested the one-way flow from Houston shortly before 7
a.m. today.
          The department intends to have the necessary signage in place to
begin this unprecedented process about 9 a.m. today.
          "The SOC says no one should be coming to Houston," Alley said.
"Emergency traffic, such as law enforcement personnel and rescue workers,
take U.S. 290 east into Houston."
          TxDOT will have more information on this operation shortly, but it
is urgent that the motoring public be notified of this situation
immediately.

            >>> Judy Curtis 9/22/2005 11:12:29 AM >>>

            news 

            Texas Department of Transportation
                125 E. 11th Street
            Austin, Texas 78701-2483
            (512) 463-8588 FAX (512) 463-9896

            Sept, 23 2005

            Hurricane Traffic Update/Talking Points

            *TxDOT working to improve traffic from Houston on I-45

            *First phase will open all lanes for one-way traffic going north
to Buffalo, an 80-mile stretch.

            *Future phases to include one-way north traffic from Houston to
Dallas.

            *TxDOT working to improve traffic flow on I-10 by making all
lanes one-way west, away from Houston.

            *We understand that millions of people are trying to get out of
the Houston-Beaumont areas. We are doing all we can to help them.

            *We are sending all available courtesy patrols to the area to
assist stranded motorists.

            *We have mobilized fuel trailers statewide to deliver gasoline
to motorists low on or out of gas.

            *We are on the way and we ask motorists to be patient.  We will
help you get safely out of harm's way and to your destination.  But this is
an unprecedented storm.

            *If you see a fellow motorist in need, try to lend a hand if you
can.  

            *For those Texans concerned about relatives still in Houston, we
advise against travel to Houston.  Instead, call 3-1-1 for local evacuation
assistance for your loved ones.

            *TxDOT is currently sending personnel and equipment to staging
areas near the affected coastal areas, ready to start clean-up efforts once
the storm subsides.

            TxDOT Contra-Flow on IH 10

            SAN ANTONIO - The Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT)
San Antonio and Yoakum Districts are preparing for heavy traffic to arrive
from Houston who will be affected by Hurricane Rita.
            As of 10:30 a.m. the contra-flow route on IH 10 between Sealy
and Seguin became effective. This will increase the westbound lanes for
those traveling to San Antonio and Austin on IH 10 from SH 36, Alternate 90
and SH 71. 
            Traffic on the contra-flow lanes will have to exit at the
following:
            - Luling: US 183 and SH 80 to Austin or 
            - Seguin: SH 123 to San Marcos/Austin or travel along other
marked routes to San Antonio
            IH 10 westbound past Seguin to San Antonio will remain open. The
San Antonio and Yoakum Districts have courtesy patrol vehicles driving at
designated sections of IH 10 past Luling to assist motorists if necessary.
The courtesy patrol vehicles will be manned with two people per vehicle.
They are carrying extra fuel for stranded motorists. They will operate 24
hours a day until weather does not allow.
            Portable message signs will advise motorists outside of Bexar
County of evacuation shelter locations.  TransGuide message signs will also
be used to direct motorists to evacuation shelter locations. 
            According to Lonny Gregorcyk, P.E., TxDOT District Engineer for
the Yoakum District, "The contra-flow lanes will assist with motorists
evacuation to San Antonio and Austin from the coastal areas served by SH 36,
Alternate 90 and SH 71." 
            For more information about hurricane evacuations, please click
on www.txdot.state.tx.us.

            TxDOT Providing Fuel to Motorists

            SAN ANTONIO - The Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT)
San Antonio and Yoakum Districts are working in conjunction with Alexander
Oil to provide fuel to motorists traveling down IH 10. TxDOT has stationed
14 trucks along IH 10, which will provide stranded motorists with 5 gallons
of fuel, enabling them to reach Seguin. Motorists will be able to refuel in
town. The Texas Department of Transportation will be providing this service
until it is no longer required. Special thanks are extended to Judd
Alexander, owner of Alexander Oil, for lending TxDOT a 425 gallon fuel tank.

            For more information about hurricane evacuations, please click
on www.txdot.state.tx.us.

Alis volat propriis - She flies with her own wings.
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