TxDOT at work clearing downed trees after months of severe weather

TYLER, Texas ( KETK ) – This most recent East Texas storm season saw trees uprooted and toppled across the area, and as July brings more rain it’s causing a delay in cleanup.

“There’s quite a bit of debris, and so we just have these guys going to make sure it’s all done properly, making sure that our right away is clear,” Jeff Williford, TxDOT Tyler District public information officer, said.

The TxDOT Tyler District covers eight counties, all of which have been affected by severe weather recently.

“It’s Anderson, Cherokee, Henderson, Gregg, Rusk, Smith, Van Zandt and Wood,” Williford said.

According to Williford, the wet ground is causing even more trees to come down, adding to their workload.

“Those crews do get spread thin sometimes, but they’re working to get the debris and trees removed,” Williford said.

There are three TxDOT crews out in East Texas clearing trees. On Wednesday, they started in Tyler on Loop 323 and worked down State Highway 64 and Farm to Market Road 279 to the Van Zandt county line.

As crews are working on the roads, you will be wearing bright-colored vests, there will be flashing lights on vehicles and signs and people will be out to direct traffic.

“Be sure to watch your speed. Slow down, move over if you can safely when you’re passing them, reduce your speed at least by 20 miles per hour, stay off your phone and, you know, keep each other safe,” Williford said.

TxDOT is only clearing trees in their right of ways, they ask that residents don’t add more to their piles.

“Please do not put your debris from a private property onto a TxDOT right of way, there could be legal consequences when it comes to that,” Williford said.

Williford said they will stay in Smith and Cherokee County until everything is cleaned up, and then they will move on to other counties.

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