TXDOT spokesman Danny Perez said late Thursday morning that Highway 63 West between FM 1747 and County Road 082 would be shut down at about 6:00 or 7:00 Thursday evening due to a major washout. However, KJAS News has learned that the highway was actually shut down at about 4:00 Thursday afternoon. There are reports that drivers are moving barricades and continuing to drive on the portion of collapsing highway. DPS troopers and Jasper County deputies have responded to assist with traffic control.... Steve Stewart
ORIGINAL STORY
The Texas Department of Transportation said Thursday that a major washout underneath Highway 63 West will result in the closure of a portion of the highway and a rerouting of traffic for at least three days. It happened between Farm to Market Road 1747 and County Road 082, just east of the Tennessee Gas Pump Station.
We have learned from Beech Grove Fire Chief Jamie Gunter that the washout actually began occurring during the flooding event on Monday, and heavy rain late Wednesday night through early Thursday morning caused more erosion and the collapse of the shoulder of the highway into the deep hole and water below.
TXDOT spokesman Danny Perez in the Houston office said “We’re working on a detour at this time. The repair will take about three days, we’re estimating, but it could be longer.”
As for closing that portion of highway, Perez said “This evening (Thursday), they’re saying it will be early evening, about 6:00 or 7:00, but nothing confirmed yet. We’re still trying to mobilize our crews and see how quickly we can get someone going out there to close things down.”
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