Extreme heat affects FM 740 expansion project

(Heath) Due to extreme heat conditions, the northern section of the FM 740 road expansion project has experienced construction delays. Concrete cannot be poured above a determined temperature and still meet Texas Department of Transportation standards.

As a result, the contractor for this project – Ed Bell Construction Company – requested and received a temporary waiver to the City of Rockwall and City of Heath noise ordinances to be able to pour concrete during quiet hours, which are the coolest part of each day.

The hours temporarily approved for construction work that includes preparing and pouring concrete are 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. in addition to regular daytime hours. The time period for the temporary approval spans Sunday, Aug. 21 to Thursday, Sept. 1.

The contractor will make every effort to use low-noise equipment and vehicles, and direct lighting away from residential areas and towards the construction area.

A map of the affected area can be viewed at heathtx.com under the FM 740 update section. 

For more information, contact Kerry Lively, project manager with TxDOT, 972-962-3617.

You can also get updated information on TxDOT’s website: 1. Log on to txdot.gov; 2. From the far left column, select “Projects”; 3. From the icons displayed in the middle, select the top left icon titled “Project Tracker”; 4. Select “Come on in” at the bottom of the display page; 5. Use the drop-down box to select a county, and enter “Rockwall”; 6. Scroll down to select the FM 740 project (click on the blue project ID number to access the information.).

 Kim Dobbs, assistant city manager for the City of Heath, is a regular Blue Ribbon News contributor.