Went through there on Saturday, whew the traffic there has gotten pretty congested. Not much advantage to that loop anymore, time to build another one.
Did you notice the buildings and business being bulldozed along the right of way along US59? They are about to begin very large up grade in loop 287 and US59. Lufkin is now ranked #1 Micropolitan in Texas. Lots of growth in the last 5 years.
I think the future interstate will route East of Nacogodoches, Lufkin and Diboll. The work being done now is to help until the interstate is done 20+ years from now. Holiday traffic is tough and daily traffic can be just as bad at certain times of the day. I avoid it thru back roads.