LUFKIN, TX The Texas Transportation Commission approves more than $582 million in new construction projects with nearly $9 million awarded for new projects in the Lufkin District. Also approved was a new designation of US 59 in Nacogdoches, Texas, and rural transit district funding for the 2018 fiscal year.

Angelina County was approved for a $10 million construction project on US 69 between Huntington and Zavalla, Texas. The project is designed to widen the roadway from two to four lanes from the city of Huntington south to FM 844. Pinto Construction Company, Nacogdoches, will serve as contractor.

Another project was also approved for $3 million designed to place profile edgeline and centerline pavement markings at 46 locations in the nine counties of the Lufkin District. Total Highway Maintenance, Cedar Hill, Texas, will serve as contractor for the project that is designed to enhance safety by reducing the chances of running off the road and head-on collisions.

A new designation for a portion of US 59 in Nacogdoches County was approved that will identify a future construction project. The new designation will be a new location from approximately 1 mile south of the intersection of SH 7 southward to Spradley Street, for about 1.8 miles. The current section of US 59 from the intersection of SL 224 to Spradley Street, a distance of about 1 mile, was approved to be designated as BU 59.

"The new designation of US 59 will be for a section of roadway that will be built in the future," said Rhonda Oaks, Lufkin District Public Information Officer. "Commissioners approved changing the current designation on a portion of US 59 to BU 59, allowing for the future roadway, which will be the flyover, to carry the designation of US 59 once that project begins."

The commission also approved $14.1 million for the 2018 fiscal year for rural and urban transportation systems, which will be distributed to urban and rural areas in the state that utilize public transportation. Included in the funding was $1.5 million for the Brazos Transit District, which operates in the Lufkin District.