Highway Project Begins

SAN ANGELO –The last of three, consecutive construction projects to widen SH 158 from a two-lane to four-lane undivided highway will begin next week. The final section will start at SH 158 and US 87 north of Sterling City and end at the Sterling County line, a distance of 14.4 miles.
Price Construction was the successful bidder on the $22.6 million project which is expected to take 18 months to complete.

Travelers taking the SH 158 bridge just north of Sterling City from US 87 to SH 158 will have lane restrictions and notice a concrete barrier blocking one travel lane. The 12-foot lane on the south side of the bridge will be demolished and a new lane will be built. The demolition process is expected to last four days. A 10–foot width restriction and a reduced speed of 65 mph is in effect throughout all three work zones.

Last year, the Texas Transportation Commission approved additional funding for the expansion of 28 miles of State Highway 158 in Glasscock and Sterling Counties in an effort to improve the safety of the traveling public along the route. This route has seen increased traffic and crashes in the last two years. TxDOT traffic counts from 2013 show a 30% saturation of 18-wheeler traffic and an average daily traffic count of 5,000.

“I appreciate TxDOT working with me and Representative Tom Craddick to prioritize these projects and secure the necessary funds to improve the safety and reliability of SH 158,” said State Representative Drew Darby of San Angelo.

All total, $55.6 million will be spent by 2016 widening SH 158 from the existing two-lane road to a four-lane undivided highway from US 87 to the Midland County line.

Road conditions can be found by accessing: