March 2012

Working Together to Improve Communication, Safety in Work Zones

Sometimes, a good idea catches on and, before you know it, everyone wonders why something that seems so logical hadn’t been done before. When it comes to highway work zones — and considering that the lives of motorists, construction workers and law enforcement officers hang in the balance — you have to wonder why it’s taken this long to better coordinate agencies in the Lone Star State. | Read More

Hats, History, and the I-35 Expansion Project

Lenny Lawson is not a man of his time. He’s the owner of Standard Hat Works in Waco, Texas. Standard Hat Works still makes hats the old-fashioned way: one-at-a-time using machinery that dates back to 1867. By his count, there are only 5 other hatters in the state that do what he doe.. | Read More

Construction updates

Section 1B: SALADO (FM 2843 to FM 2484)

Access this section's project map (schematic).

Milestones

• Pre-construction meeting held January 26.

Down the Road

• Continue ROW acquisition and utility relocation. 
• Start construction in early May.

Section 1C: Salado to belton (FM 2484 to us 190/fm 436)

Access this section's project map (schematic).

Lane Closures

• The Connell Street exit ramp from US 190 W (first exit after entering US 190 from southbound I-35) has been permanently closed to allow construction of the new flyover connecting I-35 northbound to US 190 W.
• The inside lane of the US 190 W access road from I-35 to Connell Street is closed to allow construction of flyover support columns.

Milestones

• Set beams and poured bridge decks for Shanklin Rd., Tahuaya Rd. and Amity Rd. crossovers.
• Set beams for the US 190 flyover.

Down the Road

• Continue work on northbound frontage road from Amity Rd. to Loop 121.
• Continue work on southbound frontage road from US 190 to Loop 121.
• Begin constructing traffic safety railing on the crossover bridges. 
• Set beams on Lampasas River northbound frontage road bridge.
• Set beams on Lampasas River northbound frontage road bridge.

Section 3A-1: TEMPLE TO TROY (N. LOOP 363 TO N. TROY CITY LIMIT)

Access this section's project map (schematic).

Milestones

• Field office at Big Elm Rd. completed.

Down the Road

• Work starts March 9, 2012.

Section 3B: LORENA TO HEWITT (WOODLAWN RD. TO SUN VALLEY BLVD./FM 2063)

Access this section's project map (schematic).

Down the Road

• Begin clearing, utilities and frontage road construction for northbound (east) frontage road from Woodlawn Rd. to S. FM 2837; southbound (west) frontage road from N. FM 2837 to FM 1695; and northbound (east) frontage road from FM 3148 to FM 2063 as right of way is acquired.
• Begin construction of the northbound I-35 auxiliary lane between FM 2063 and SH 6 and the new northbound exit ramp under FM 2063.
• Work on the new direct connector from FM 2113 to northbound I-35 will start later in the first 6-month period.
• Work on the new bridges and intersections will start at S. FM 2837, N. FM 2837 and FM 1695.

BRAZOS RIVER BRIDGES (WACO)

Access this section's project map (schematic).

Down the Road

• Construction expected to start in late summer 2012.

Section 3C: HEWITT TO WACO (FM 2063/SUN VALLEY BLVD. TO S. LOOP 340)

Milestones

• Opened the westbound flyover.
• All lanes are open, and traffic is now in final configuration.

Down the Road

• Finishing remaining details.
• Plant and vegetative establishment and maintenance will continue.
• Complete project March 2012.

Section 5A: WACO TO WEST (N. LOOP 340 TO FM 1858)

Lane Closures

• The Wiggins Rd. crossover is closed for demolition and is expected to be closed for 12-18 months. Tours Rd. (next crossing to the south) and Tokio Rd. (next crossing to the north) are open.
• Main St. in Elm Mott is permanently closed to through traffic at the southbound frontage road.

Milestones

• The northbound Meyers Ln. exit ramp is permanently closed.
• A section of the new BUS 77 northbound frontage road in front of Connally High School was opened.

Down the Road

• Continue work on UPRR overpass.
• Continue construction of northbound frontage road between Wiggins and FM 1858.
• Set beams for new FM 1858 crossover.
• Switch southbound mainlane traffic to new section of BUS 77 overpass.
• Open new northbound exit ramp to Craven Ave.
• Open new southbound entrance ramp from Craven Ave.
• Switch southbound frontage road traffic to new concrete pavement between Craven Ave. and Meyers Ln.
• Possibly open new northbound exit ramp to Crest Dr.

Section 5B: WEST TO ABBOTT (FM 1858/TOKIO RD. TO FM 1304)

Access this section's project map (schematic).

Milestones

• Completed drill shafts and columns on the crossovers for Marable St., County Line Rd. and CR 3102, except for the centerline supports.
• Continue building roadbase for northbound frontage road between Marable St. and KOA campground.
• Northbound frontage road from CR 3102 and Houston St. in Abbott has been changed to one way/one lane.
• Traffic barriers have been placed for most work areas.

Down the Road

• Install retaining walls at Marable St.
• Continue work on extending box culverts.
• Begin placing embankment for overpass at County Line Rd.

Section 5C: ABBOTT TO SOUTH OF HILLSBORO (FM 1304 TO FM 310)

Milestones

• Completed new ramps.
• Finished new shoulders.
• Started removing traffic barriers from southbound lanes.
• Poured northbound Cobb Creek mainlane bridge deck.
• Opened new temporary FM 1304 exit ramp.

Down the Road

• Finish paving and open new ramps.
• Remove traffic barriers from both northbound and southbound lanes.
• Pour southbound Cobb Creek mainlane bridge deck.
• Backfill pavement edges and seed the ditch slopes.
• Resume placing asphalt (weather allowing).

SAFETY REST AREAS (HILL COUNTY)

Milestones

• Completed excavation of both sites.
• Poured slab for southbound rest area.

Down the Road

• Continue construction of embankment for service roads.
• Begin preparing to pour slab for northbound site.

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