TxDOT: Eastbound I-14 Lane Closures to Continue Wednesday

Whether it's your morning or afternoon commute that takes you along eastbound Interstate 14/US 190, you may want to plan an alternate route or be prepared for syrupy-slow traffic again this evening and tomorrow morning.

Monday afternoon, TxDOT closed eastbound lanes between Paddy Hamilton Road in Nolanville and FM 2410/Simmons Road in Belton. The closure caught many drivers off guard, and caused many to be stuck in morning traffic Tuesday.

Now there's word from TxDOT that the closure will continue for another 24 hours. If you're driving along eastbound I-14/190 Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning, prepare for delays.

According to Kenneth Roberts with TxDOT's Waco District, the closure is necessary in order to conduct a detailed assessment of existing drill shafts supporting the structure at the Nolan Creek crossing. Crews are waiting for water levels from recent rains to drop so they can make a proper assessment and begin repairs to two of 36 columns supporting the bridge.

"Eastbound I-14 traffic will remain diverted to the frontage road (South Central TX Expressway) at Exit 294 (Paddy Hamilton Rd) and reenter I-14 just east of the Simmons Road intersection in Belton," Roberts wrote in a news release. "Northbound and southbound Simmons Road cross traffic at the South Central Texas Expressway in Belton will be detoured east and west, as necessary."

Roberts asked that driver be on the lookout for traffic control personnel and construction equipment in the area.