September 2012

Main Street Makeover: TxDOT’s New Information System Keeps Texans Informed

With the I-35 Expansion Project now in full swing across 11 separate sections along the 96-mile stretch from Hillsboro to Salado, keeping those who use the interstate informed is more important than ever. Scheduled for completion in 2017, the effort affects hundreds of thousands of citizens living nearby, tens of thousands of businesses, and millions of travelers over the life of the project. | Read More

Just Add Water: TxDOT’s Recycling Recipe for Making Concrete

At a time when drought still lingers in the backs of our minds, saving water has become a pressing issue to everyone, including highway contractors. Did you know that making concrete consumes a lot of water? It’s estimated that the concrete to construct the 40 miles of I-35 main highway lanes and access roads near Lorena will consume 11 million gallons of water. Other construction uses will consume another 50 million gallons. | Read More

Construction updates

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

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Lane Closures

• The frontage road on the east side of I-35 has been converted to one-way northbound from Thomas Arnold Rd. to N. Main St. as crews reconstruct the roadway in this area. Additionally, during the construction work, the access road will be closed (one lane at a time) as it is rebuilt. One-way operation will be permanent, except for a short period in early 2013, when the stretch from Thomas Arnold Rd. to Van Bibber Rd. will be temporarily converted to 2-way for the next phase of construction.

Milestones

• Completed the temporary pavement for the southbound frontage road near FM 2268.
• Completed the drill shafts for the FM 2268 bridge.

Down the road

• Continue the relocation of utilities.
• Continue the reconstruction of South Main St.
• Continue construction of the retaining wall near FM 2268.
• Continue work on the culvert on the northbound frontage road just north of Thomas Arnold Rd.
• Continue work on phase 1 of the northbound frontage road from Thomas Arnold Rd. to Salado Plaza.
• Pour concrete pavement for the southbound frontage road phase 1 portion south of FM 2268.

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

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Milestones

• Switched traffic to the new Loop 121 crossing bridge.
• Switched traffic to the new one-way northbound frontage road from FM 2484 to Tahuaya Rd.

Down the Road

• Continue work on the northbound frontage road from Tahuaya Rd. to Loop 121.
• Continue work on the bridge rail for the northbound frontage bridge over the Lampasas River.
• Continue work on the northbound main lanes from the Lampasas River to Shanklin Rd.
• Begin work on the northbound mainlanes from FM 2484 to Tahuaya Rd.
• Demolish the old Loop 121 bridge.  

Section 2B: temple

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Milestones

• Bids opened and contractor chosen Thursday, Sept. 6.

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

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Lane Closures

• Granite Dr. between Limestone and the I-35 southbound access road (just north of N. Loop 363 in Temple on the west side of the highway) will be permanently closed beginning Sept. 12, 2012.

Down the Road

• Continue relocating utilities.
• Continue excavation and embankment on the south end of the project.
• Continue work on the Little Elm Creek southbound frontage road bridge.
• Begin work on the retaining wall at the new intersection south of Troy.

Section 3A-2: TROY to bruceville-eddy (N. TROY CITY LIMIT to woodlawn rd.)

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lane closures

• From July 9 until fall 2013, the southbound frontage road will be closed from Roberts Cemetery to Big Elm Rd. This will allow the demolition and rebuilding of the new frontage road and bridge over Big Elm Creek. Frontage-road traffic traveling south from Big Elm Rd. will have to enter the freeway, except for local traffic only, south of Big Elm Creek. A temporary turnaround has been constructed near Roberts Cemetery.

Milestones

• Began construction of new southbound frontage road near Big Elm Creek.

Down the Road

• Continue construction of the new Big Elm Creek frontage-road bridge.
• Continue construction of the new southbound frontage road between Big Elm Creek and FM 107.
• Continue the relocation of utilities.

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

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Milestones

• Began foundations for the new flyover at FM 2113.

Down the Road

• Continue relocating utilities as right of way becomes available.
• Continue installing pavement for the new northbound frontage road from S. Old Bruceville Rd. past Woodlawn Rd.; from FM 3148 to FM 2063; and along the southbound frontage road from N. FM 2837 to FM 1695.
• Continue work on the bridges at S. FM 2837, N. FM 2837, and the northbound frontage road over S. Cow Bayou.
• Continue pouring the bridge rail at Bullhide Creek.

BRAZOS RIVER BRIDGES (WACO)

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Milestones

• Cleared and prepared new right of way.
• Installed erosion control.
• Shifted Buzzard Billy's inbound and outbound traffic to the east side of I-35, connecting to MLK.
• Began stabilizing ground and placing box culverts in the northwest quadrant.

Down the Road

• Continue the relocation of utilities.
• Continue stabilizing ground and placing box culverts and begin constructing bridge foundations in the northwest quadrant.

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 to 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.
• Section of BUS 77/Old Dallas Rd. to be closed for reconstruction before school resumes.
• On Aug. 8, the Hilltop Rd. bridge will be closed for the intersection/bridge reconstruction. The segment of the southbound frontage road from Meadowlawn Rd. to Hilltop will be permanently converted to one way. This closure is expected to last for 12-18 months, and completion of the reconstruction is anticipated in late 2013 or early 2014. Crossings at FM 308 to the south and Ross Rd. to the north will be open.

Milestones

• Completed the striping for the northbound entrance ramp from Craven Ave. and opened the ramp.
• Completed the striping on the northbound frontage road between N. Loop 340 and BUS 77 and opened the remaining lanes.
• Completed work on the BUS 77 intersection and paving.
• Demolished existing Hilltop St./Old Dallas Rd. crossing bridge.

Down the Road

• Continue work on the northbound frontage road between Tours Rd. and FM 1858, and the southbound frontage road between Tours Rd. and Hilltop Rd.
• Continue work on retaining walls at FM 1858.

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

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Lane closures

• The southbound exit ramp to County Line Rd. has been closed and a temporary ramp opened. Traffic on the southbound frontage road will be detoured around the existing County Line Rd. crossing until the new frontage road is built, possibly as late as summer 2013.

Milestones

• Completed drill shafts for the FM 1242 overpass.
• Began pouring concrete pavement for the Marable St. intersections.
• Relocation of utilities is almost complete.

Down the Road

• Continue work on the northbound and southbound frontage roads.
• Continue work on box culverts.
• Continue pouring the concrete pavement for the Marable St. intersections.
• Complete relocation of utilities.
• Set beams for the County Line Rd. overpass and begin forming the bridge deck.
• Pour caps and abutments for the FM 1242 overpass and set the beams.
• Open the new southbound frontage road between FM 2114 and Marable St.
• Convert the remaining sections of the northbound frontage road between County Line Rd. and HCR 3102 to one way/one lane.
• Begin laying asphalt for the northbound and southbound frontage roads.

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

Milestones

• Completed final striping for mainlanes and access roads.

Down the Road

• Finish lighting and final signs.
• Grind the existing mainlanes at certain locations to smooth pavement surface

SAFETY REST AREAS (HILL COUNTY)

Milestones

• Completed concrete paving of parking areas on the southbound rest area.

Down the Road

• Continue work on the buildings and picnic areas on the northbound and southbound sides.

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