TxDOT to Close Two US 281 Crossovers in Alice for Overpass Work

TxDOT contractors closed the Jim Wells County Road 129 crossover on U.S. Highway 281 at 2:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 16, and reopened it roughly 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, while crews will close the Jim Wells County Road 117 crossover beginning at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18, through Friday, Feb. 20, to continue construction on new overpasses in Alice. The Texas Department of Transportation’s Corpus Christi office posted the schedule to its Nextdoor page on Feb. 13, 2026, and the Alice Echo-News Journal carried a TxDOT notice by Rickey Dailey with the same timetable.

TxDOT’s notices specify that northbound and southbound traffic on US 281 will remain open during the closures and that only the county road crossovers will be closed. “Northbound and southbound traffic on US 281 will remain open during this work. Only the county road crossovers will be closed,” the Corpus Christi public information message states, underscoring that mainline travel lanes on US 281 are not scheduled for closure during the listed dates.

Drivers approaching the work zones are asked to follow posted detour signs to route around the closed crossovers. The Nextdoor post and the Alice Echo-News Journal item advise motorists: “During the closure, drivers can avoid the construction area by following posted detour signs.” TxDOT materials do not list specific detour routes or milepost coordinates; officials say posted signage will direct traffic at the time of closure.

Safety guidance included in TxDOT’s public information reminds motorists to reduce speed and observe traffic controls near the work. “Motorists are asked to slow down, pay attention to road signs, and follow directions from traffic control devices to help keep workers and drivers safe,” the public information text reads. The Alice Echo-News Journal copy reiterates the safety message: “Motorists are reminded to slow down, stay alert, and follow all traffic control devices to help protect both construction crews and fellow drivers.”

All scheduled work carries a weather contingency. TxDOT’s notices repeat the caveat: “All work is weather permitting.” The department’s Corpus Christi public information presence also notes TxDOT’s wider responsibility in the state, stating that the agency maintains 80,000 miles of road and supports aviation, maritime, rail and public transportation across Texas.

For questions, for confirmation of the PIO name spelling shown as RICKEY DAILEY in some postings and Rickey Dailey with email rickey.dailey@txdot.gov in others, or to request a detour map and contractor details, contact TxDOT’s Corpus Christi public information office via the email listed in the Alice Echo-News Journal notice.