GIDDINGS, TX — Lee County officials recently joined the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to celebrate the completion of a US 290 East widening project that divided a section of the four-lane highway between the Bastrop/Lee County line to Giddings.

“With thousands more vehicles expected to travel on the highway each day, we recognized the need to modernize the roadway,” TxDOT Austin District Engineer Tucker Ferguson said. “The completion of this project not only benefits local traffic, but those traveling from Austin to Houston and back.”

A grassy median with a cable barrier now separate the new eastbound lanes from the westbound lanes along an eight-mile stretch of US 290 in Lee County. Inside and outside shoulders were also added.

“This project was much needed and has safety written all over it,” said Lee County Judge Paul Fischer at the ribbon cutting. “I want to thank TxDOT.”

TxDOT funded the $28.3-million project, and the contractor is Big Creek Construction, LTD. Two additional projects are part of dividing US 290 from Elgin to Giddings — the McDade project is near completion and the Paige project is now complete. Both are in Bastrop County.

The Texas Department of Transportation is responsible for maintaining 80,000 miles of road and for supporting aviation, maritime, rail, and public transportation across the state. Through collaboration and leadership, the department delivers a safe, reliable, and integrated transportation system that enables the movement of people and goods.