Ferry Drive project to begin Monday

Tommy Mann, Jr.

BRIDGE CITY June 28, 2008 08:02 pm

— Motorists who regularly use Ferry Drive to cut down on travel time will no longer be able to use this thoroughfare as of Monday.
Bridge City officials recently announced the long awaited start to the Ferry Drive construction project and the lengthy time frame which it accompanies — the roadway is expected to be closed for at least 18 months.
“We want people to know that Ferry Drive will be closed and blocked off with permanent barriers,” said Jerry Jones, city manager. “There will be no more through traffic and everyone will be required to travel around Texas Avenue and West Roundbunch.”
The highly traveled road connects West Roundbunch Road to Texas Avenue and is primarily used by people traveling from areas such as Vidor and Orangefield when headed towards Port Arthur or vice versa.
The project will have the Texas Department of Transportation rebuild the road from a two lane street into a three lane street; one lane running each direction and a turning lane.
Currently the street does not have a turning lane and traffic congests behind vehicles attempting to make left turns into neighborhoods while waiting for oncoming traffic to pass.
“The first part of the project will include either replacement or moving water and sewer lines and the storm sewer system,” Jones said. “Then the actual road work will begin.”
Some area motorists may be tempted to circumvent the construction and utilize neighborhood roads like John Street, but Jones said city officials are discouraging such ideas.
“John Street is too narrow and it just wouldn't hold up to that kind of extra traffic,” Jones said. “Signs will be visible stating the road closure and the alternate routes, and the Bridge City Police Department will be out to make sure people are doing what we have asked.”
Although two permanent barricades will be present on each end of Ferry Drive, Jones said the end sections of the street will remain open.
Jones said the Bridge City Bank end at West Roundbunch will remain accessible for bank customers, as will the end at Texas Avenue near Novrozsky's and Wal-Mart.

Reach this reporter at 409-883-3571, Ext. 2619 or tmann@orangeleader.com