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Landowners view a map of the U.S. 183 widening project that was displayed at last week’s event in Lometa. MASON HINES | DISPATCH RECORD
The Texas Department of Transportation’s Brownwood Division hosted a public meeting for Lometa residents last Tuesday on the project to widen U.S. Highway 183.
The project would begin just south of Lometa at the U.S. 190 intersection and end at the U.S. 281 intersection in Lampasas.
A similar meeting was offered Thursday evening in Lampasas.
The purpose of the meetings was to give citizens an opportunity to ask questions, see models and better understand how the highway project will affect them as it progresses.
Approximately 32 people, many of whom were landowners, attended the Lometa meeting.
The proposed U.S. 183 widening project includes adding pavement width where necessary for a total of four travel lanes, two in each direction; dividing the roadway with a flush median; adding a centerturn lane for vehicles making left-hand turning movements; improving shoulders and guardrails; improving drainage by upgrading culverts; and reducing the slope or steepness of ditches.
Lisa Tipton, TxDOT’s public information officer in Brownwood, highlighted the necessity of this project, but she said the process to begin is a slow one.
“Right now, we’re looking to increase mobility and safety on the roads,” Tipton said. “This project will add two lanes of highway and have safe left-turn-capable spaces.
“As with most construction projects, adjoining property owners will be temporarily inconvenienced during construction; however, many attendees were very positive, seeing the benefits of the project design which includes adding additional pavement width, dividing the roadway with a flush median and adding a centerturn lane for making lefthand turns,” she said.
The contract for the project has not been awarded yet, and Tipton noted it may not occur for several years.
“The date that construction will begin has not been determined,” she said. “Most likely, the construction contract will be awarded in the spring or summer of 2025.”
More information is available on the project page at TxDOT.gov. This includes a virtual presentation on the need for the widening project. Anyone interested in more information can search “US 183 Lampasas County” to find the project page.