Although no date has been set yet for the roadway to actually open for traffic, a ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned Wednesday to mark completion of what has become known as the “Southern Cross’ highway connection just south of Lamesa. The all-new new four-lane extends State Highway 349 directly to U.S. Highway 87. The $7.1-million project includes an overpass over State Highway 137 and a bridge over Sulphur Springs Draw. Work began over two years ago – in May of 2017 – with Reece Albert as the contractor. Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) officials will be hosting a ribbon cutting at 9:30 a.m. atop that ...