The following is a news release from TxDOT:

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is scheduled to begin work this week on a $37.5 million project to add passing lanes to SH 214 in Yoakum and Gaines counties. The passing lanes will be constructed between the cities of Plains (US 82/380) and Seminole (US 62/180).

“In addition to making roadway and drainage improvements, the project will widen segments of the roadway to add passing lanes along this busy energy sector corridor,” said Seve Sisneros, P.E., TxDOT Brownfield area engineer and project manager. “The new passing lanes are expected to improve safety and mobility.”

From Denver City north to the city of Plains, alternating passing lanes will be constructed.

“The Yoakum County passing lanes will be what TxDOT calls Super 2 or alternating passing lanes that will allow drivers to pass slower moving traffic at designated intervals,” Sisneros said. “Improvements to add a continuous left-turn lane will also be made to a small segment of SH 214 north of Denver City.”

South of Denver City and heading into Seminole and Gaines County, the project will add lanes to a portion of the roadway.

“Our plans for SH 214 in Gaines County, beginning near County Road (CR) 210 to the six-way intersection (SH 214/Arizona Street/NW 11th Street/NW Avenue F) in Seminole, will vary. Instead of constructing alternating passing lanes, we will add a second lane of traffic in each direction,” Sisneros said. “When we complete the project in spring of 2020, that segment of roadway will consist of two lane of traffic in each direction.”

Alternating passing lanes will be constructed on SH 214 north of CR 210 to Denver City, Sisneros added.

Additional work includes the reconstruction and complete rebuild of the US 83/SH214 intersection in Denver City. Construction work at the intersection is not scheduled to begin until in January 2019.

With the majority of the work taking place off the main lanes, traffic will be minimally impacted.

“With the exception of the US 83/SH214 intersection, most of the major construction work will take place along the roadway shoulders, however, we will still be reducing the speed limit through the active work zones to 65 mph,” Sisneros said. “Motorists should continue to drive with caution through the work zone by remaining alert, eliminating distractions, watching out for workers and construction equipment and observing posted signs.”

Construction is scheduled to begin October 1 with contractor James Hamilton Construction, of Silver City, MN, starting in Gaines County, just south of the SH 214/SH 83/FM 2056 intersection, and working south to Seminole.

For more information, contact TxDOT Public Information Officer Dianah Ascencio at (806) 748-4472.

(News release from the Texas Dept. of Transportation, Lubbock District)