Barring any unforeseen circumstances, FM 1053 between FM 11 and FM 1450 will reopen Friday according to Texas Department of Transportation Public Information Officer Gene Powell.

“It looks like we’re still on schedule to be open Friday. If everything goes as planned it’ll be open Friday,” Powell said on Wednesday.

The likely reopening will come two weeks after the road was initially shut down to heavy rainfall and a crack that was caused by the precipitation.

Long-term plans to address the issue, which has occurred numerous times over the last five years, are in the works. The Texas Department of Transportation proved a public notice to the Pioneer that stated there will be a virtual public meeting with an in-person option on Monday, July 26 at Buena Vista High School in Imperial.

The meeting will be held from 4-6 p.m.

The notice stated that in-person attendees will be able to view the same presentation delivered in the online public meeting, which will be playing on a screen, review hard copies of project materials, ask questions of TxDOT staff and/or consultants from a socially distanced approached, and leave written comments.

The proposal from TxDOT is to realign a portion of FM 1053 from FM 11 in Imperial to 10 miles south of FM 1450 in Pecos County.

To log onto the virtual public meeting, go to the following web address at the date and time indicated above: www.txdot.gov.