[Elfsea] Re: [Steppes] Latest TxDOT Updates - Rita

[Spence Mabry]

>From the Steppes list, thought people might be 
interested.


--- Original Message ---
From: "Martha A. Compton" <macpob1 at airmail.net>
To: <ansteorra at ansteorra.org>, <steppes at ansteorra.org>
Subject: [Steppes] 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=20
>
>
>
>
>
>            Texas Department of Transportation
>                125 E. 11th Street
>            Austin, Texas 78701-2483
>            (512) 463-8588 FAX (512) 463-9896
>
>                                       =20
>            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. =20
>
>            *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.=20
>            Traffic on the contra-flow lanes will 
have to exit at the =
>following:
>            - Luling: US 183 and SH 80 to Austin 
or=20
>            - 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.=20
>            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."=20
>            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.=20
>            For more information about hurricane 
evacuations, please =
>click on www.txdot.state.tx.us.
>
>
>
>          =20
>
>
>    =20
>
>Alis volat propriis - She flies with her own wings.
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