by San Angelo, TX — Roadwork on Loop 306, also known as the Houston Harte Expressway, is entering its final phase, with officials saying the heavily damaged section near Bell Street is expected to reopen before Christmas.
Flood Damage Led to Extended Closure
The Texas Department of Transportation closed a portion of Loop 306 between Bell Street and North Oakes in late September after severe flooding compromised critical bridge infrastructure. According to TxDOT, the damage traced back to historic rainfall that hit the San Angelo area on July 4.
“This rainfall caused the metal pipe culverts near Bell Street to be damaged,” said Jewel Schoppe of TxDOT. She explained that “the metal pipe culverts were installed in the 1980s,” noting that “at the time, metal pipe culverts were the industry standard.”
Why the Road Was Temporarily Reopened
After the flood, the roadway initially reopened before being shut down again, prompting questions from drivers. TxDOT officials say the decision was made to balance safety with community needs.
“TxDOT knows how important this roadway is for our community,” Schoppe said. “We investigated to determine whether the road was safe to reopen for temporary travel or if we would have to close the road while we designed and planned our repairs.”
The road was deemed safe for short-term use, allowing traffic to continue while repair plans were finalized. Once construction began, the loop was fully closed to ensure worker and driver safety.
What Construction Crews Are Doing
Crews have removed all existing metal pipe culverts beneath U.S. Highway 67 and replaced them with modern concrete box culverts. TxDOT officials say this upgrade is designed to better withstand future heavy rainfall and flooding.
“These concrete box culverts are the current industry standard,” Schoppe said, emphasizing that the new structures significantly improve long-term durability.
Construction has included extensive excavation, roadway grading, and shoulder restoration, with heavy equipment operating throughout the fall.
Timeline for Reopening
While initial estimates suggested the closure could last into winter 2025–2026, weather permitting, the project has progressed faster than expected.
“The project is nearing the final stages and is expected to complete before Christmas,” Schoppe said.
TxDOT advises drivers to continue following posted detours until the roadway officially reopens and to watch for updates as final work wraps up.
Conclusion
After months of disruption caused by historic flooding, Loop 306 in San Angelo is on track to reopen sooner than originally planned. The replacement of outdated culverts with modern infrastructure is expected to improve safety and resilience along this key route for years to come.
Have you been affected by the Loop 306 closure, or noticed changes in traffic around your area? Share your experience and thoughts in the comments below.
