Baxter’s Ditty Road closure extending beyond its original six-month estimate after utility relocation issues slowed construction.
T-DOT Regional Communications Officer Rae-Anne Bradley said utilities that were expected to have been moved remained in the path of construction. Crews had to relocate those utilities and change the sequence of work.
“Essentially a decision was made that it was actually quicker and better and safer for our crews to completely close this section of Ditty Road,” Bradley said, “Because there was so much that needed to be done here.”
The overall project remains on track for completion November 30. Bradley said an approximate 800-foot section of the existing Ditty Road near the Portobello entrance remains the final major piece of work before the road can reopen.
Bradley said that section must be rebuilt, though it does not require major grading or culvert work.
Bradley said the new Ditty Road alignment is essentially complete. Portobello America traffic will begin using the new route while local traffic remains on the detour.
Bradley said final asphalt and pavement striping also remain on the new alignment. Additional construction will continue along Baxter Road after Ditty Road reopens.
The work is part of T-DOT’s State Industrial Access program, designed to improve road access for new and expanding industries. The Baxter project is creating a new route for truck traffic traveling to and from the Portobello America facility.
“So these changes are going to make these roads safer, increase capacity and traffic flow, hopefully both for the industrial site, but also the local users that use these roads,” Bradley said.
The project also includes widening Baxter Road, adding a dedicated turn lane for southbound traffic from I-40 and installing or extending box culverts.