BELL COUNTY, Texas — A road work project on FM 436 in East Bell County, near Heidenheimer Rd and the 190 Bridge, has been going on for months, and now people who live in the area say it's becoming dangerous.
One Bell County homeowner says she has been in contact with the Texas Department of Transportation since the work started over the summer.
The homeowner didn't want to be identified but told 6 News her concerns constantly get passed around with no solution.
"They all give you the same story," The resident said. "'Contractors are working on it. They're working on the bridge, they're working on the road,' but there's never anyone out here working on it. It seems like because it doesn't directly affect their life or their livelihoods, it doesn't really matter."
The homeowner says the work makes it hard to get kids to and from school, and most importantly, she says the detours are not safe.
"To me, it's a safety issue because when you get on Highway 190 from Business 190 on the east end of Heidenheimer, you're put right out onto the highway at 75 miles an hour with traffic speeding," the homeowner said. "Usually going even in excess of 75 miles an hour. There's no lane to get up to speed before you have to merge into traffic. Then you have to turn right around and slow down, so you can exit. The exit is 50 miles an hour for the Intersection at 93 and 95. There's always accidents."
Bell County homeowner Terry Butler isn't happy either. He's seen other road projects in the area completed.
"Those get attention because they get a lot of traffic," Butler said.
Butler said that is not the case with this project.
"It's a beautiful day," Butler added. "It was a beautiful day yesterday. I don't see anybody out here. I guess they are fishing or chasing Santa Claus. Progress is minimum at best. They just need to finish it."
6 News reached out to TxDOT. The Public Information Officer for the Waco District, Jake Smith, sent the following statement:
TxDOT has been working with the original contractor of this project for the past few months regarding their inability to meet their contractual obligations. TxDOT is now working with the contractor’s bonding company to ensure the work is completed. In the interim, the detour in place will be maintained by TxDOT, as it remains the safest route available.
There is no specific timeline for project completion. 6 News will be sure to follow this story and share developments as they become available.
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