September 2019

DRIVING TO DALLAS? I-35 EXPANDS LANES, REBUILDS BRIDGES

As the next step in TxDOT's My35 Reconstruction Project, rebuilding has begun for the 7.9-mile stretch of I-35E running from Hillsboro to the Hill/Ellis County line. The contractor, SACYR Construction USA LLC, began work on the lanes on Sept. 9, 2019, and estimates the project's completion in 2023. The bid for the project — Sacyr's first in the state of Texas — was $117.52 million. | Read More

WHAT THE HECK IS THAT THING?

In this article we talk to TxDOT Construction Inspector Brian Fulwider about another perplexing machine. What is the odd-looking yellow machine with the black back that looks like it's been cut off, except that it has open seats in the black part? | Read More

CONSTRUCTION UPDATES

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

Access this section's project map (schematic).

MILESTONES

• Completed construction of the BNSF underpass.
• Completed installation of the project power grid and roadway lighting.
• Completed signal work at Avenue H.
• Opened all frontage road lanes.
• Completed landscape paver installations.
• Began construction on the City of Temple landscape welcome monument at Loop 363.

DOWN THE ROAD

• Continue final striping operations.
• Continue overhead and small sign installations.
• Continue construction on the City of Temple landscape welcome monument at Loop 363.
• Work on punch list items.

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

Access this section's project map (schematic).

MILESTONES

• Completed installing mailboxes.
• Completed repair of the driveway at Love's.

DOWN THE ROAD

• Install the electric meter at Pegasus Dr. (Oncor task).
• Complete supplying power from new meter(s) to illumination in the area.
• Complete establishing trees in the project.
• Complete punch list items.
• Complete the final inspection.

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

Access this section's project map (schematic).

MILESTONES

• Completed the decorative storefront rail at FM 107.
• Completed installing permanent signs throughout the project.
• Completed permanent striping punch list and deletion of work zone stripes on the mainlanes.
• Completed installation of permanent Troy city limit signs and added signs north of the Bruceville-Eddy.
• Completed DMS foundations and the cabinet at the southbound frontage road.
• Completed pulling electrical wires for illumination throughout the project.
• Completed installation of DMS services.
• Completed mounting of remaining large ground signs.
• Completed installing delineators throughout the project.

DOWN THE ROAD

• Complete items on the punch list for minor repairs and cleanup.
• Continue with erosion control measures and vegetation establishment for remainder areas to cover them at least with 70 percent of grass.
• Complete the punch list deficiencies for electrical services, etc.
• Complete Installation of meters on DMS Service #11, 12 and 13; service 4A; and service 8.
• Install added permanent FM107 stop signs. (This will be done by Waco Maintenance Section.)

SECTION 4B: WACO 12TH STREET TO N. LOOP 360

Access this section's project map (schematic).

MILESTONES

• Completed activation of temporary traffic signals at BUS 77.
• Completed constructing southbound frontage road detours to shift traffic to reconstruct frontage roads.
• Switched northbound and southbound mainlane traffic to the northbound side (similar to how traffic was switched to its current configuration in the 11th and 12th streets area).
• Completed the east end replacement of Culvert 5 (Waco Creek).
• Completed demolition of the 4th/5th Sts. southbound mainlane structures.
• Began full-width reconstructing/armoring of northbound mainlanes.
• Began removing existing southbound pavement from 4th and 5th streets to the south end of the project.
• Began constructing drilled shafts for the new 11th and 12th streets southbound overpass.
• Began building the approaches for the new 11th and 12th streets southbound overpass
• Began constructing drilled shafts for the new 4th and 5th streets southbound structure.

DOWN THE ROAD

• Continue building up the northbound mainlane and shoulder to serve as temporary mainlanes later.
• Continue work on sewer and water lines throughout the project on the northbound access road.
• Continue work on driveway access points on the southbound access roads from N. Loop 340 southward.
• Continue constructing frontage road detours to shift traffic to reconstruct frontage roads.
• Continue reconstructing/armoring northbound mainlanes inside shoulder.
• Begin full-width reconstructing/armoring of northbound mainlanes.
• Continue resetting temporary barriers and shifting traffic on northbound mainlanes.
• Continue installing the median barrier north of N. Loop 340.
• Continue drilling shafts for inside widening of N. Loop 340 overpasses.
• Continue drilling shafts for outside widening of N. Loop 340 overpasses and construction of abutments.
• Continue replacement of Culvert 7 (Bellmead ditch) west of I-35 at US 84.
• Construct shoring columns at BUS 77 to support remaining large structures under the northbound mainlanes when demo work starts at BUS 77.
• Complete the west end replacement of Culvert 5 (Waco Creek).
• Switch northbound and southbound mainlane traffic to the northbound side (similar to how traffic was switched to its current configuration in the 11th and 12th streets area).
• Construct major storm drainage trunk lines along the southbound access road between 17th and 18th streets to University Parks Blvd.
• Construct cul-de-sacs to replace side street intersections along the southbound access road in the 17th and 18th streets to 11th and 12th streets area.
• Continue removing existing southbound pavement from 4th and 5th streets to the south end of the project.
• Continue constructing drilled shafts for the new 11th and 12th streets southbound overpass.
• Continue building the approaches for the new 11th and 12th streets southbound overpass.
• Begin paving new southbound access road from LP 340 to Behrens and from University Parks to 4th and 5th streets.

SECTION I-35E EXPANSION (I-35 EAST/WEST SPLIT TO ELLIS COUNTY LINE)

MILESTONES

• Completed initial project and emergency-management meetings.
• Began setting barrier walls along median.
• Began clearing median for new lane construction.

DOWN THE ROAD

• Continue setting barrier walls along median.
• Continue clearing median for new lane construction.

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