State Government Podcasts » TxDOT-Tyler District Podcast

TxDOT-Tyler District Podcast

"The Encroachment Zone" – Week of January 28, 2008

Posted: January 25th, 2008, 9:59pm PST

Enclosure: [download]

It's a constant battle we fight here at TxDOT. It's time-consuming and can be dangerous, and it has nothing to do with maintaining our pavement. Give up? You might call them yard sale signs. The law refers to them as encroachments, and it's our responsibility to remove them promptly. Encroachments can be anything that's not authorized to be placed on the highway right of way, or the shoulder and the area beyond the shoulder of an FM road, State highway, US highway or the interstate. Most common of these are yard sale signs. But in an election year, there's another kind: Campaign signs. Lots of campaign signs. And as Tyler District Maintenance Superintendent Mike Reagan explains, a little name recognition can be enormously expensive for everyone.
"A Rude Awakening" – Week of January 21, 2008

Posted: January 18th, 2008, 9:59pm PST

Enclosure: [download]

When North Tyler assistant maintenance supervisor Ricky Alvis' phone rings in the middle of the night, it's rarely good news. Like a lot of TxDOT's maintenance personnel, Alvis is on call 24 hours per day so he and his crew can respond to any highway-related emergency in his section. Most often, those incidents occur on the Interstate. Last Monday, Alvis' phone rang in the middle of the night, calling him to an emergency on US 271 (see this week's TxDOT: Working For You video). I spoke with him later in the week about what he found when he responded to the scene and what role he played in getting the situation under control. Also this week: TxDOT plans to close part of FM 2767 this week, and highlights from this week's Town Hall meetings along the I-69/TTC corridor.
TxDOT: Working for You – January 18, 2008

Posted: January 18th, 2008, 9:59pm PST

Enclosure: [download]

TxDOT's North Tyler Maintenance Section responds to a fatality wreck on US 271 near Winona. The driver of the 18-wheeler was killed when his rig struck the sign bridge. The wreckage ended up supporting part of the damaged structure, making it necessary to cut the sign bridge completely away in order to remove the driver's body. TxDOT and rescue crews worked 15 hours straight to clear the wreck and re-open the highway.
TxDOT: Working For You – January 11, 2008

Posted: January 11th, 2008, 9:59pm PST

Enclosure: [download]

TxDOT's Canton Maintenance Section makes repairs to the surface and shoulders of FM 1255 just north of Canton in Van Zandt County. The maintainer cuts out a section of crumbled edge and replaces it with fresh material. The roadway is then swept for loose material.
"Are We There Yet?" – Week of January 14, 2007

Posted: January 11th, 2008, 9:59pm PST

Enclosure: [download]

Except for one unpaved section, the work on FM 2493, or the Old Jacksonville Highway, between Grande Blvd. in Tyler and FM 2813 in Gresham, appears to be complete. So ... why is there an unpaved section and when is this project going to be finished? To find out, I spoke with Vernon Webb, the Tyler Area Enginner, whose office is overseeing the project. Also, culvert work to close part of FM 2767 east of Tyler on Monday, January 21; Loop 49, Segment 2 open to traffic and free through January; Sneak preview of statewide podcast episode for next week.
Special Edition: Remembering Ric Williamson

Posted: January 4th, 2008, 9:59pm PST

Enclosure: [download]

Texas Transportation Commission chairman and former state legislator Ric Williamson died of a heart attack on December 30, 2007 at the age of 55. His legacy is unfinished, having not lived to see how his work to find alternative means of funding transportation in Texas will turn out. Between addressing tolling, indexing or raising the gasoline tax, and public-private partnerships as ways to help Texas keep pace with a population growing by 1,000 new people each day, the commissioner had his share of supporters as well as detractors. But, as Randall Dillard tells us, commissioner Williamson never backed away from a difficult issue.
"The Man on the Mill" – Week of January 7, 2008

Posted: January 4th, 2008, 9:59pm PST

Enclosure: [download]

If you've been watching the "TxDOT: Working For You" videos posted along with these podcasts over the last several months, you've seen a lot of what are called the special crews at work. The Tyler District has two special crews: one for seal coat, and one for mill and inlay operations. Marlin Cooper is the crew chief for the mill and inlay crew. I thought since you've seen so much of his crew's work, you might enjoy getting to know him.

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State Government Podcasts » TxDOT-Tyler District Podcast » January 2008

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TxDOT-Tyler District Podcast

"The Encroachment Zone" – Week of January 28, 2008

Posted: January 25th, 2008, 9:59pm PST

Enclosure: [download]

"A Rude Awakening" – Week of January 21, 2008

Posted: January 18th, 2008, 9:59pm PST

Enclosure: [download]

TxDOT: Working for You – January 18, 2008

Posted: January 18th, 2008, 9:59pm PST

Enclosure: [download]

TxDOT: Working For You – January 11, 2008

Posted: January 11th, 2008, 9:59pm PST

Enclosure: [download]

"Are We There Yet?" – Week of January 14, 2007

Posted: January 11th, 2008, 9:59pm PST

Enclosure: [download]

Special Edition: Remembering Ric Williamson

Posted: January 4th, 2008, 9:59pm PST

Enclosure: [download]

"The Man on the Mill" – Week of January 7, 2008

Posted: January 4th, 2008, 9:59pm PST

Enclosure: [download]