Electra Chamber of Commerce prepares to unveil new TXDoT buildings

WICHITA FALLS, Texas (KAUZ) - The Electra Chamber of Commerce is gearing up to cut the ribbon on a 14,000-square-foot office and equipment shop for TXDoT, along with 16 thousand more square feet of support buildings.

The new site is designed to improve response times and give crews better access to U.S. 287 and surrounding roads.

It also replaces the old office on South Bailey St., which has been in use since 1957, according to TXDoT of Wichita Falls’ Public Information Officer Adele Lewis.

“So 1957, they didn’t have air conditioning. The mechanics area was just tin overhangs, like a carport. And actually, the office down on South Bailey Street has been closed for several years. We had to bring portables in it because our office was uninhabitable.”

Lewis says crews had been working under just 10 overhangs, so this new facility couldn’t have come at a better time. Everything inside offers a modern, much-needed upgrade for the equipment team.

“Tankless water heaters in this building. The main building of the office and the mechanic shop is 14,400 feet. There’s another 16,000 feet. This is going to be our largest campus,” Lewis said. “We will be able to bring training classes for heavy equipment here and our first class is starting in just a few weeks.”

TXDoT says this campus marks a new era in how crews respond, train, and keep drivers moving across the region.