TxDOT gives an informative program to rotarians
Rotarian Brooks Hiller, TxDOT representatives Nyemb, Nyemb and Joshua Bailey. Contributed Photo
The Dayton Rotary Club had a wonderful and informative program this past week as they welcomed TxDOT Representatives Nyemb, Nyemb and Joshua Bailey. Longtime Rotarian Brooks Hiller introduced them to the Club members and guests.
Nyemb first showed a quick Safety Moment video about work zone awareness that featured Marc Williams, P.E. Tx-DOT Executive Director. The video’s motto was ‘Be safe. Drive Smart.’
Williams stated that there are 3,000 active work zones in the state of Texas at any given time. Accidents occur primarily due to speeding, texting, and/or careless driving. “We had 205 lives lost last year at work zone areas which was down 16% from 2022.” The video reminded drivers to slow down, stay focused, plan ahead for extra time needed due to construction on the roadways and to simply put phones down.
After the video, the Tx-DOT representatives concentrated on the Liberty/ Dayton areas, which are managed out of the Beaumont office. The Beaumont district oversees the construction and maintenance of the state highways in both Liberty and Chambers counties. Currently, in the Liberty and Chamber counties there are 21 construction projects with a budget of $309,430,398.30.
Nyemb broke that information down even more by county. Chamber County has 9 construction projects with a budget of $141,596,720.78. Liberty has 12 projects with a budget of $167,833,677.52.
Within the Liberty area projects, Dayton specifically has 4 on-going projects with one being close to completion. One project that was discussed was the sidewalk project down SH 321 from Dayton High School to US90 has started and is 13% completed. The plan is to go .813 miles down SH321 and along US90 for another 1.696 miles before completion of this project.
The major project that has been in the planning stages is the overpass on US90, which will go over the railroad tracks. They are going out for bids in January of 2028 and have an estimated budget of $440,000.00.
The meeting concluded with several questions for both Nyemb, Nyemb and Mr. Bailey. President Ann Marie Mitchell led the club in the 4-Way Test before adjourning. Anyone who is interested in joining the Dayton Rotary Club is invited to attend any Thursday noon meeting at the Dayton Community Center.