Traffic Switch on Highway 69 Near Zavalla Starts Thursday

Motorists traveling Highway 69 between Huntington and Zavalla can expect a change beginning Thursday, September 10th.

According to the Texas Department of Transportation, a traffic switch will take place on US 69 South between BW Horton Road, south of Huntington, to FM 1270, south of Zavalla, weather permitting. Traffic will be moved to the newly constructed section of roadway recently completed in this section of US 69. Two-lanes of traffic, one northbound and one southbound, will remain in place until the next completed phase of construction.

At SH 63 in Zavalla, a three-way stop sign will be utilized that will require all drivers on US 69 and SH 63 to stop at the intersection. Traffic on County Road 357 will be required to use the existing portion of US 69 north for nearly 1 mile to access the newly constructed lanes of US 69.

The US 69 Corridor in southern Angelina County will widen the two-lane roadway to a four-lane divided highway. The projects are being completed in three phases.

Phase One: From Huntington to FM 844, Pinto Construction, Nacogdoches, TX, contractor for the $10.1 million project, worked to extend the four-lane section of highway just south of Huntington. This phase is now completed.

Phase Two: From FM 844 to FM 1270 in Zavalla, Johnson Brothers, Roanoke, TX, contractor for the $72 million construction project has worked to extend the four-lane section of highway and construct several bridges. Crews continue to work through this phase.

Phase Three: From FM 1270 to the Jasper County line, crews continue to widen the roadway to a four-lane divided highway. Drewery Construction Co., Nacogdoches TX, contractor for the $37.5 million project is scheduled to complete the final phase in early 2023, weather permitting.

Once completed, US 69 South projects in the Lufkin District will connect to the US 69 widening that is being completed by the Beaumont District and will be known as the Big Thicket Corridor. The finished projects will enhance safety, improve traffic flow, provide better connectivity between Lufkin and Beaumont and will also serve as an evacuation route from the Gulf Coast.

Motorists are urged to stay alert to the traffic switch changes, use caution and reduce speed as they enter these areas. Obey all traffic control and stay alert to signage directing motorists through the traffic switch onto the newly constructed lanes. Stay alert for workers and moving equipment throughout this work zone.