Nearly 70,000 vehicles a day currently travel along Broad and Holliday. Over 1,800 accidents and several fatalities have occurred along these streets between 1985 and 1995. After several presentations by the City, TxDOT approved funding in the fall of 1996. During construction, at least two lanes of traffic will be open along Broad and Holliday. Driveways to businesses will be relocated when necessary to provide access to each business at all times.
Motorists are to expect delays when traveling through the area due to lane closures and detours.
The original cost estimate for this project was 27.4 million dollars. One factor was a sharp increase in the cost of cement during the last year. TxDOT is now reconsidering the use of the metric system in plan preparation. The requirement to keep at least two lanes open in each direction and all driveways open also contributed to increased construction time and thus increased cost. Four bids were received for the project.