July-August 2018

TXDOT HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: IS THIS JOB RIGHT FOR YOU?

It may be a cliché, but it's still true that big trucks fascinate many people. Social media often features photos of small boys enthralled by big trucks working nearby. And there's even a heavy equipment playground for grownups called "Dig This" in Las Vegas, Nevada, that (for a fee) lets grown-ups operate bulldozers, loaders and excavators for fun. | Read More

CONSTRUCTION UPDATES

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

Access this section's project map (schematic).

DOWN THE ROAD

• Continue constructing the northbound mainlanes and northbound frontage road overpasses at the BNSF Belco Yard railroad.
• Continue constructing northbound mainlane pavement from Adams and Central Ave. Interchange north to the BNSF Belco Yard overpasses.
• Continue constructing northbound mainlane pavement from BNSF Belco overpass north through the remainder of the project.
• Continue installation of retaining wall No. 1.
• Continue construction of the BNSF underpass.
• Continue construction of the BNSF Lampasas Sub northbound mainlane overpass.
• Continue construction of Retaining Wall 52 north of Nugent Ave.
• Continue construction of the west side of the Adams/Central Ave. Interchange.

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

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MILESTONES

• Completed paving the south-to-north turnaround at the North Troy intersection.
• Completed paving the north-to-south turnaround at the Berger/Hart Rd. intersection.
• Completed paving the north-to-south turnaround at North Troy intersection.
• Completed pouring the asphalt for the northbound frontage road north and south of the FM 1237 intersection.
• Opened crossing at FM 1237/Pendleton Rd. to one lane in each direction.

DOWN THE ROAD

• Complete installing signs for the new southbound mainlanes.
• Continue working on the east half of the northbound frontage road from FM 935 to North Troy.
• Continue working on the northbound frontage road between Berger/Hart Rd. and FM 1237.
• Continue working on the North Troy intersection, Berger/Hart Rd. intersection, FM 1237 intersection and West Main Street/FM 935.
• Switch traffic at northbound mainlanes and mainlanes north of Berger/Hart Rd. to the outside and middle lanes.
• Begin pouring the permanent central barrier wall at the mainlanes north of Berger/Hart Rd.

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

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MILESTONES

• Opened the new Big Elm Rd. intersection with one lane open in each direction.
• Switched traffic onto new concrete paving on southbound mainlane pavement between Big Elm Rd. and Big Elm Creek.
• Poured the deck for the new southbound mainlane bridge over Big Elm Creek.
• Set beams and poured the bridge deck for the new southbound mainlane bridge over Big Elm Creek.
• Began constructing new drainage structures along the northbound frontage road between Old Blevins Rd. and FM 107.
• Began work on the new northbound mainlane pavement between North Eddy and Old Blevins Rd.

DOWN THE ROAD

• Continue construction on the new southbound frontage road at FM 107.
• Continue paving the northbound frontage road between Old Blevins Rd. and FM 107.
• Continue constructing new drainage structures along the northbound frontage road between Old Blevins Rd. and FM 107.
• Continue working on the east retaining wall at the new FM 107 underpass.
• Continuing working on the west retaining wall rail and riprap placement.
• Continue paving the southbound mainlanes between North Eddy and Old Blevins Rd.
• Continue constructing new drainage structures along the northbound frontage road between Old Blevins Rd. and FM 107.
• Continue placing concrete paving on southbound mainlane pavement between Big Elm Rd. and Big Elm Creek.
• Begin working on remainder of southbound pavement.
• Continue working on rail for the new southbound mainlane bridge over Big Elm Creek.
• Continue building additional lanes and turnarounds at Big Elm Rd.
• Continue working on the new intersection of the northbound frontage road and FM 107.
• Complete new northbound pavement from the railroad to the north end of project.

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.
• Forrest St. Bridge is closed.

MILESTONES

• Completed construction of new Forrest St. bridge drill shafts.

DOWN THE ROAD

• Continue construction of the northbound and southbound frontage-road bridge rails.
• Continue to work on opening the new frontage roads.
• Continue construction of new Forrest St. bridge (currently working on drilled shafts).
• Continue to work on tie-in point for the new southbound frontage road to the existing frontage road.
• Construct the new northbound on-ramp from MLK Blvd.
• Complete northbound and southbound bridge retaining walls at Forrest Ave. bridge.
• Complete construction of columns in the center median for the Forrest Ave. bridge.
• Complete building of abutments for the Forrest Ave. bridge.
• Hang beams for the Forrest Ave. bridge.

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