Construction causing negative impact on Nixon

NIXON – As delays in road construction continue to cause bottlenecking traffic, delays and undue driver stress, officials say the congestion is having a negative economic impact on the city.

Construction on HWY 87, particularly near its intersection with HWY 80, has been delayed repeatedly since beginning in late summer 2015.

The project, a road-widening that was supposed to take a year to complete, has now morphed into a 23-month ordeal, turning HWY 87 into a one-lane road that slithers its way to a makeshift red light for which weary motorists wait their turn for yet another stop.

Mayor Gladyne Finch noted that much of the public is frustrated with the delays, and added that several businesses in the city have voiced complaints over losing business.

“One business reported they were losing $500 a day because people aren't stopping there anymore,” Finch said. “It's getting really bad in our town, and there doesn't seem to be any end in sight.” 

Although managers and representatives with businesses such as Lowe's, Stripes, Dairy Queen and Taco Ranch have declined to comment on the matter, Finch said she's definitely noticing a problem.

“I would imagine people who normally pass through town aren't stopping as much anymore at these businesses. You can now only stop on the east side of [Main Street], you can't park there. People who want to visit the west side of the street have to park in a parking lot or in an alley,” she said.

TxDOT spokesperson Cari Hensley said the contractor initially hired to do the work was removed from the project, and that TxDOT is in the process of finding a new contractor. She said it could take as long as two more months, and that during the interim the Gonzales County maintenance office will be doing repairs to the area.

“They put four driveways back in (DQ, Stripes, Holmes Foods and the post office). They also cleaned up the transitions between the city streets and US 87. In addition to that work, maintenance crews plan to do a temporary fix at the intersection of US 87 and 80,” Hensley said.