February 2017

BEAUTIFYING OUR ROADWAYS: TXDOT'S WILDFLOWER PROGRAM

Texas is home to more than 5,000 species of wildflowers. From bluebonnets to Indian paintbrush, the flowers that paint the Texas landscape grow year after year, despite the sometimes harsh weather conditions throughout this vast state. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) ensures the survival and spread of the flowers along our highways. | Read More

SHINING A LIGHT ON HEADLIGHT REQUIREMENTS IN TEXAS

The average car owner wants his or her vehicle to look its best, and maybe even show off a little of their own personality in what they drive. However, a driver’s personality might not legally transfer into headlights. | Read More

CONSTRUCTION UPDATES

SECTION 1B: SALADO (FM 2843 TO FM 2484)

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MILESTONES

• Completed placing landscaping features on medians at FM 2268, Salado Plaza Drive, and FM 2484.

DOWN THE ROAD

• Continue placing topsoil, sod, and grass wildflower seed along the mainlanes and frontage roads.
• Begin construction of the gateway monument at southbound mainlane/FM 2484 and the gateway monument and landscape amenity at northbound mainlane/FM 2268.
• General clean-up throughout the project.
• Install illumination along construction projects.

SECTION 1C: SALADO TO BELTON (FM 2484 TO US 190/FM 436)

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MILESTONES

• Completed topsoil, seed and sod placement.

DOWN THE ROAD

• Continue striping and signing operations.
• Install illumination along construction projects.
• Begin general cleanup along project.

SECTION 2B: TEMPLE (S. LOOP 363 TO N. LOOP 363)

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LANE CLOSURES

• Southbound exit ramp #302 (Nugent Ave.) is closed indefinitely as work on mainlanes and access road continues in this area. To access the businesses near Exit #302, travelers should use Exit #301.

MILESTONES

• Continue constructing the retaining wall to support installation of the depressed southbound mainlane section at the south end of the project.
• Continue installing mainlane pavement at Adams/Central intersection.

DOWN THE ROAD

• Continue constructing the retaining wall on the west side of I-35 mainlanes in the Nugent area.
• Continue constructing the driveways/sidewalk near Avenue H.
• Finish the concrete rail on the west side of I-35 for the Spur 290 roadway.
• Continue installing the concrete rail on the southbound frontage road structures at BNSF, Belco, and Lampasas-Sub Overpasses; southbound mainlanes south of the southern Loop 363 interchange; and retaining walls south of the Central and Adams on-ramp and southbound frontage-road header.
• Continue constructing the retaining wall on the east side of I-35 Nugent underpass.
• Continue constructing northbound mainlane pavement at Adams/Central intersection.
• Continue constructing southbound mainlane pavement south of BNSF Belco Yard Overpass.
• Continue reconstructing permanent northbound frontage road from S. Loop 363 through the Ira Young St. interchange.
• Continue constructing the BNSF Railroad underpass.
• Begin constructing the southbound mainlane pavement from the Little Elm Creek overpass south to the BNSF railroad underpass.
• Begin constructing temporary pavement to move the southbound mainlane and southbound frontage road for the next phase of the BNSF railroad underpass.
• Begin constructing the first phase of the southbound mainlane overpass at the BNSF Lampasas Sub Railroad.
• Begin installing mainlane concrete pavement in the depressed section from BNSF Lampasas Sub Railroad overpass south to end of project.
• Continue constructing Nugent Avenue Underpass.

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

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MILESTONES

• Installed light poles for the new southbound mainlanes.
• Built temporary pavement to move traffic on the new southbound mainlanes.
• Opened the new southbound mainlanes including new entrances and exits.
• Set the bridge beams over the northbound mainlanes at the South Troy Bridge.

DOWN THE ROAD

• Continue working on the bridge embankment for the northbound mainlane bridge at Berger/Hart Rd. 
• Continue working on the northbound frontage road between Berger/Hart Rd. and FM 1237.
• Continue working on the northbound frontage road just north of N. Loop 363. 
• Install signs for new southbound mainlanes.
• Continue working on drainage culverts crossing northbound frontage road between FM 935 and North Troy Overpass
• Begin removing pavement and base from old southbound mainlanes.
• Begin working on drainage culverts for new northbound mainlanes from Berger/Hart Rd to North Troy Overpass.
• Begin working on bridge embankment for northbound mainlane bridge at FM 1237, FM 935, and North Troy Bridge.

SECTION 3A-2: TROY TO BRUCEVILLE-EDDY (N. TROY CITY LIMIT TO WOODLAWN RD.)

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MILESTONES

• Completed pouring the deck on the new northbound mainlane bridge at UPRR.
• Completed installing drainage structures for the new northbound frontage road between Big Elm Rd. and Old Blevins.

DOWN THE ROAD

• Continue tying in new side streets along the southbound frontage road between UPRR and FM 107.
• Continue working on the new UPRR bridges.
• Continue building the embankment for the new southbound mainlanes from FM 107 to UPRR.
• Continue work on the new northbound mainlane overpass at Old Blevins.
• Continue work on the new southbound mainlane overpass at N. Eddy Dr.
• Continue work on the east half of the new southbound frontage road between FM 107 and N. Eddy Dr.
• Continue work on the new southbound mainlane overpass at Big Elm Rd.

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

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MILESTONES

• Connected power to bridge light fixtures.
• Planted vegetation and installed sod and topsoil.
• Connected power to bridge light fixtures between the southbound mainlane and southbound frontage road.
• Addressed erosion areas on the southbound frontage road south of Lorena.

DOWN THE ROAD

• Complete installation of the dynamic message sign system.
• Complete construction of additional concrete riprap at the Callan Ranch Rd. ditch line.
• Repair concrete pavement in eight section areas previously damaged by fire (negotiations with contractor under way).
• Complete Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations inspection repairs.

SECTION 4A: WACO ACCESS ROADS (MLK TO TAYLOR)

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LANE CLOSURES

• North-to-south access roads and the turnaround from MLK Blvd. under I-35 at the UPRR crossing have been permanently closed. New access roads and railroad crossing bridges will be constructed to replace them.
• The southbound frontage road turnaround between Forrest St. and UPRR has been closed permanently at Cherry St.

DOWN THE ROAD

• Complete installing the manholes, inlets, and lateral lines on both sides of the highway.
• Complete retaining walls on all four quadrants of the UPRR crossing.
• Continue working on the Peach St. connection to the southbound frontage road.
• Begin construction of the bridge rail.
• Begin construction of the remaining retaining walls.

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