The Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT) $44 million U.S. 60 in Hereford project — being constructed by J. Lee Milligan Inc. — is upgrading the safety, mobility and connectivity along an important approximately 2.5-mi. section of the highway in the Texas Panhandle area.
Operations began in early March 2026, and the initiative is scheduled for late 2029 completion.
The construction zone stretches from Progressive Road to the Tierra Blanca Creek bridge. The major safety upgrades include removing and replacing the existing asphalt roadway surface, making Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements to sidewalks and traffic signals and upgrading the storm sewer and drainage systems.
This section of roadway is considered vital as it serves high traffic volumes from New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma.
This section of U.S. 60 has two lanes in each direction with a dedicated turn lane. Approximately 13,000 vehicles travel along it each day. Most of U.S. 60 in Hereford is aligned with commercial businesses.
"This section of U.S. 60 in Hereford saw — and continues to see — a lot of heavy traffic coming in and out, which, in turn, puts a lot of stress on the roadway," Jason Britsch, a TxDOT spokesman of the Amarillo District, told Construction Equipment Guide. "This project aims to increase the life span of the roadway as we expect to see the number of vehicles continue to increase. In the engineering and designing phase, crews saw that this area could benefit from upgrades to sewer and drainage. Projects of this scale typically take several years to go through the design and engineering phase before construction starts.
"Safety is always TxDOT's No. 1 priority," he added. "Some of the safety aspects that TxDOT is upgrading are streetlights at certain intersections and turning lanes as well. We're also upgrading pedestrian safety by constructing sidewalks in various areas of the project."
Woolpert designed the project.
"Due to the proximity of a nearby railroad, TxDOT staff and crew kept in close communication with the railroad company to ensure that everyone was on the same page as what was going to be happening with this project," Britsch said. "The newly resurfaced roads are expected to see routine maintenance once every 10 years as the new material is expected to add decades of service life."
J. Lee Mulligan crews have started the repaving, beginning on the west side of Hereford. Over the next year, efforts will concentrate on repaving operations.
This is primarily a day shift project.
"A portion of the roadway has been sectioned off enough so that crews have plenty of space to operate safely and drivers can commute smoothly as well," Britsch said. "TxDOT worked with the utility owners in relocating their utilities before construction started, which is typical on TxDOT projects. The coordination and working relationship with the prime contractor, J. Lee Milligan, has been working well."
Removal of the current roadway began on the west side of Hereford and will move east as the project progresses.
"Drainage will be addressed first, followed by resurfacing the roadway," Britsch said. "Crews are working on multiple lanes at a time."
Repairs for the subbase and base involve cement-treating the subgrade and installing flex base. Three different types of asphalt are being used: dense-grade, Superpave and stone matrix asphalt (SMA).
The heavy equipment in use includes Cat 336s excavators with buckets, Cat 938M dozers, loaders, rollers, mixers, milling machines and lay-down machines.
The storm sewer and drainage improvements are a crucial aspect of the work.
"Crews are installing drainage that will hold a larger capacity than what's currently there," said Britsch, who pointed out that the infrastructure is being placed at various locations on both sides of the road. "Earthwork and excavation are necessary when it comes to replacing and installing the necessary drainage for a large-scale project such as this one."
Existing sewer pipes are being kept in place. The box culverts, inlets and RCP pipe being used for the project are prefabricated elements.
The drainage work has operators using excavators and temporary trench protection.
The ADA aspects of the project, including sidewalks, will be completed in their particular areas as the work moves from west to east.
Average days have more than 15 J. Lee Mulligan and subcontractor employees on site. The major subcontractors are Alamo Brothers, Apollo Constructors, Barricades Unlimited, HJC Farms, TRP Construction and Wolfe Construction.
Approximately 129,000 sq. yds. of existing roadway are expected to be removed.
"A portion of the existing asphalt will be recycled into the new asphalt that will be laid down," Britsch said.
New materials are expected to include 150,000 sq. yds. of flex base, 17,000 tons of dense-grade hot mix, 58,000 tons of Superpave hot mix and 22,000 tons of SMA.
J. Lee Milligan owns a considerable fleet that is maintained and updated as pieces of iron reach their replacement point. Mechanics are brought in as needed.
The firm said it buys and rents equipment from several dealerships.
