Every time I hear about a highway expansion project coming to Central Texas, the Happy Happy Joy Joy bit from Ren and Stimpy flashes in my head.

TxDOT is scheduled to begin working on a 7-mile project between Nolanville and Harker Heights Monday, September 9.

They'll be installing inside travel lanes and concrete safety barriers along both the east and westbound lanes of Interstate 14/US 190 between Paddy Hamilton Road in Nolanville and 3423 Indian Trail Drive in Harker Heights.

The good news is that two lanes are expected to remain open in both directions most of the time. The bad news: you can expect some temporary lane closures during the work, along with delays and congestion at times.

So, how long is this going to take? According to Kenneth Roberts with TxDOT's Waco Regional Office, work is expected to be completed by the Summer of 2021.

Yeeeeesh.

I-14/US 190 is already a mess most days, so I'm really hoping people will be extra careful during this project. Not only will we have to be looking out for the usual maniacs going 110 mph and weaving through lanes, people staring at their phones, and drivers doing 10 below the speed limit in the passing lane, but we'll need to watch for work crews and give them plenty of space as well.

Be safe out there, folks.

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