Will Paved Roads In The Eagle Ford Be Converted To Gravel?

I-37 Gravel Road Frontage in Live Oak County - TxDOT
I-37 Gravel Road Frontage in Live Oak County - TxDOT

Near the end of July, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) announced plans to convert 83 miles of road to gravel in South and West Texas. Roads have been damaged by higher traffic and can be converted to gravel much more quickly than they can be repaired.

The conversion will affect roads in four South Texas counties: Dimmit, La Salle, Live Oak, and Zavala.

Three miles of I-37 frontage in Live Oak County and a portion of FM 1916 in Dimmit County have already been converted.

The department cited a funding shortfall for the reasoning. A typical paved road can cost $500,000 to maintain, while the cost falls to $10,000 for a gravel road. Speed limits will likely be lowered to 30 mph on gravel roads.

Affected roads have been heavily damaged by truck activity related to oil & natural gas exploration that they have become safety hazards.
— John Barton, TTxDOT Deputy Executive Director

TxDOT Delaying Some Road Converstions

Lawmakers have raised concerns and TxDOT has indicated that some road conversions have been delayed by 60 days. On a case-by-case basis, counties can ask the state to reconsider.

A transportation department official said counties will be allowed to assume control of the gravel roads.

Is your area affected by the gravel road conversions? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

TXDOT Task Force to Address Barnett & Eagle Ford Shale Roads

Texas Department of Transportation officials are convening a task force to address road damage associated with oil & gas activity in the South Texas Eagle Ford Shale and North Texas Barnett Shale regions.

Within 90 days, the task force will convene an executive-level meeting of local governments, law enforcement, transportation officials, Railroad Commission, energy industry leaders.

 

  • Continue research, data gathering and sharing.
  • Identify future energy developments.
  • Strategize use of new technology.
  • Discuss potential legislative issues.
  • Develop funding strategies.
  • Routinely monitor, evaluate and revise plans.