As of 8/8/2013

For reference, I live in the neighborhood behind Petsmart in Midland, and I work between JBS parkway and Grandview on 2nd street in Odessa.

Looks like all three east-west passages (HWY 191, HWY 80, and I-20) between Midland and Odessa are finally clear between west loop 250 and east loop 338.

I finally had a little extra time this morning and decided to take I-20 to work in Odessa where I exited off of JBS Parkway. 75MPH all the way. It shortened my trip by 3-5 minutes. I did not notice any problems heading east on I-20 either. I believe the construction is now East of West loop 250 (South of Midland) and moving East. I have heard it is one lane in the construction zone like I encountered a few months ago.

I took HWY 80 the other day and it is crowded, but still 2 lanes clear both ways. Moving closer to 55-60MPH than 65 MPH. I am always amazed at the 1/2 mile of cars stuck on HWY 80 at Faudree road stop light heading west at 5:30pm.

I have been taking HWY 191 most of the time to and from work in Odessa. I almost always use HWY 191 coming home. But will probably take I-20 to work because I love right hand turns.

If you are new to the area try to avoid east bound I-20 exiting on west loop 250 because it backs up onto the right hand lane of I-20 most evenings.

I also hate coming home at 5:30 going east HWY 80 to get on West loop 250 under the overpass to go north, but maybe you have no choice.

Today, the drive was 23 minutes from home to work.
I-20 route is winning it in the AM.

Live in the middle of Midland, work in the middle of Midland. Max drive four minutes (unless I'm on the rooted some place, then it's several hours)

I finally found the construction on I-20 when I left downtown Midland to get to west loop 250.

The signs said it was 1 mile east of Big Spring street on I-20, that I did not see. What I did see was west on I-20 between Big Spring street and Midkiff. One lane each direction.

BTW, I-20 between the loops is still quite awesome, and when school starts up it may make it the only way to go.

I-20 is clear between Big Spring street in Midland and Grant street in Odessa. So now clear from downtown to downtown.
Of course they have spoken about putting in a safety rail between Midland and Odessa so be aware.

From what I have seen recently all 3 main routes (I-20, Hwy80 & Hwy191) between Midland and Odessa are clear.

I-20 is now being stripped, making one lane east/west bound between a mile or so west of FM 1788 and the Ector county line East of East Loop 338.

Yesterday was like driving in the BIG city on I-20, at least during rush hour.

Hopefully being only a few mile long strip they can get this done quickly before they find another way to torture I-20 drivers.

Also the drive that I usually take on I-20 was a 25 minutes drive door to door, but this morning I went my old route of using HWY 191 to JBS Parkway to get to work and it took 30 minutes.

I-20 on a 3-4 mile area between East Loop 338 to the a mile or so West of FM1788. Both lanes are stripped heading East. West appeared the same, but I have not driven on it.

Last night at 6pm, was a complete stand still on I-20 in this area as everyone merged around the East side of loop 338, then started moving around 30MPH, but I did leave the construction area heading East at 65MPH (as posted).

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I work between JBS parkway and Grandview on 2nd street in Odessa.

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We supply/service your air compressors.

I too live in Midland, but my office is on Kermit Hwy. There's just no good way to get there anymore.

Helicopter service would be nice.

My morning commute to work is scary. There seem to be a lot of drivers who make sudden/dangerous turns and run red lights, especially on W Golf Course. It's no wonder the accident rate in Midland is relatively high.

The stupidity of Midland/Odessa drivers beyond measure. How many accidents and deaths will it take for people to start paying attention and not drive like maniacs?

We get to drive by detour now to Dallas this weekend, due to I-20 accident dropping a bridge. Ought to be fun!

The bridge that was dropped West of Big Spring was no issue going east or west over this last weekend. Very quick work by someone.
Of course now the columns, spans and road surface will need to be redone.

The section of I-20 between 1788 and loop 338 east in Odessa is moving along. Looks like there is the top surface in one lane that is still left to do in both directions. Slowest speed along there was 65mph in the work-zone at 8:10am today. Traffic was pretty light. Made it to work in 25 minutes again!

They are down to 1.5 miles of the left lane heading West to Odessa on I-20. I could not tell if there was any left to do on the eastbound side, but there were still cones up over there. Maybe they are letting the asphalt settle first. I am not a paver so I don't know.

Hopefully they get it completed by the Holidays so I don't have to hear about road fatalities in the area.

Be safe everyone.

[This message has been edited by LoudestWHOOP! (edited 12/18/2013 8:31a).]

Looks like all lanes (2 each way) between Loop 250 West and Loop 338 East on I-20 are open. They still have the 65 MPH signs for a couple of miles but no slow downs at all otherwise. Back to 25 minutes or less door to door.

They are again shutting down the fast lane for both east and west traffic in the same area as before in I-20 between FM1788 and Loop 338.

Speed limit is 65mph for the single lane area.
It still wasn't too bad of traffic considering the single lane for 3-4 miles.

All Clear on I-20 between Midland and Odessa head West. (Eastbound looked like they were clear also)

Drove 75mph on I-20 all the way from Loop 250 west to John Ben Sheppard exit.

New construction on 158 and 349 South of town are killers now. 158 is down to 2 lanes from 4 and 349 was down to a single lane with a flagger a few days ago, but I have to imagine that was a short term thing. I'm not on 349 every day.

New signs just went up on I-20 between the east Odessa city limit and John Ben Sheppard Parkway for a left lane closure. Its about a 2 mile stretch. No speed limit changes yet, all still 75 mph. I would guess that would change soon.
Be safe out there.

Scary moment for me this afternoon on 349 coming back from lubbock...

A Semi was passing a slow moving motorgrader prior to a small crest in the road and doesn't see the oncoming traffic (me) in the other lane. Nearly ran me & someone else off the road as he gets into the other lane not a moment too soon.

That'll give you a shot of adrenaline.

Are they finished with 349? I haven't taken that road in a couple of years; been going to Stanton and then up to Lamesa.

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Are they finished with 349? I haven't taken that road in a couple of years; been going to Stanton and then up to Lamesa.

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I drive from Lubbock to Midland/Odessa a couple of times a week. Not sure regarding the construction stage but it's still pretty bad IMO. I've only been driving that route for about 6 months though. Better to go Stanton to Lamesa?

I drive it about as often. Lamesa is still the faster route for me.

I haven't been on 349 in a couple of years, so I can't speak with authority. But the last time I drove it, there were areas where there was no pavement, and they had traffic following a pilot car back and forth. It added at least 45 minutes to the trip. No such delay going to Stanton, but I'm sure when they have the road finished, 349 will be much faster.

Stanton to Lamesa is only a few minutes more and has always seemed safer, at least until 349 is totally complete. I have no idea what 349 is like because I refuse to take it until completely finished.

WEll, I know next time to go that route.


349 wasn't in that bad of shape though. THey were working on the northbound double lanes while all the traffic was in the future southbound lanes.

For what it is worth (and the rumor mill), much of the 349 construction had to be redone because the first contractor did so horribly on paving it the first time.

Went both ways today. Think I like the 349 route better. 20 from Stanton to Odessa might be worst than 349.