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UPDATE: I-20 now open at FM 849, bridge removed

UPDATE #2: All lanes on I-20 are open and flowing freely, one day ahead of schedule, according to TxDOT representative Kathi White.

No additional lane closures are planned for this week.

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UPDATE: According to TxDOT, I-20 westbound at FM 849 at Hideaway is now open to traffic after the FM 849 bridge was removed from those lanes.

Hideaway's front entrance has also been reopened.

The westbound lanes of I-20 opened up a day earlier than expected, but I-20 eastbound remains closed to traffic as crews continue to remove the rest of the removed bridge at FM 849.

Drivers are encouraged to continue to use caution when driving through the area.

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Several East Texas authorities issued traffic alerts to drivers Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017 after demolition began on the FM 849 bridge at Hideaway.

According to TXDOT representatives, I-20 was closed and traffic moved to the ramps at FM 849 as crews worked Sunday afternoon to remove the structure over the westbound lanes.

That same afternoon, representatives with North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority said North-bound Toll 49 was closed from SH 64 to I-20. All north-bound traffic will be diverted onto SH 64. South-bound lanes will remain open.

The closure is expected to last until 7 a.m. Wednesday. Drivers are advised to plan for delays and allow for extra time to reach their destinations.

In a Facebook post that was shared over 3,000 times and had nearly 350 comments, the City of Van fire department advised traffic is anticipated to back up more than 10 miles in both directions per Lindale Emergency Services. They expect traffic will increase on FM 314, FM 16, and HWY 110 between Van and Tyler.

The Hideaway Lake Clubhouse Facebook page posted TxDOT has mandated that Hideaway close the front entrance gate starting Sunday at noon until Wednesday at noon.

The back, North Gate will be open 24/7 for member and visitor access.

The Lindale Fire Department Facebook page posted that they have opened two side emergency gates at the Hideaway community as they work to minimize any delays in service.

They asked everyone to avoid the area and use extreme caution.

The Lindale Independent School District Facebook page posted similar information.

The FM 849 bridge sustained significant damage Nov. 14 when it was struck by an oversized load carrying a tank vessel. The crash caused significant damage to three of the four girders making it unsafe for traffic.

TxDOT has awarded the $4.6 million bridge replacement project to Longview Bridge and Road, Ltd., of Longview. The crash caused significant damage to three of the four girders making it unsafe for traffic.

The contractor will remove existing steel and concrete structure Sunday and work to return the I-20 main lanes to normal traffic flow Wednesday. TxDOT said daytime and nighttime operations to construct the new bridge will begin after the existing steel and concrete structure is removed.

The bridge will be replaced with a four-span reinforced concrete bridge. The project also includes roadway work to connect the new overpass approach slabs.

TxDOT said the project also will include periodic lane closures and delays until the entire project is completed in mid-April.

These plans are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues, according to TxDot.

To sign up for Toll 49 traffic updates, text TOLL49 to 444222.

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