On Nov. 1, TxDOT closed portions of Dutton Ave. at 4th Street in Waco to begin reconstruction of this area. With the growth of Baylor University—specifically the new Baylor Visitors Center and downtown Waco—the realignment and reconfiguration of the intersections of 4th Street, 5th Street and Dutton Avenue at the northbound frontage road are essential. Growth in the area has not only increased vehicular traffic, but also pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Additionally, the intersections need upgrades to improve accommodations for those with disabilities.
Before TxDOT began this work, they met with the Balor Athletic Department to discuss the November sports calendar. There is a parking garage on Dutton Avenue that’s heavily used during football games. TxDOT worked out the phasing such that the garage entrance and exit could stay open while construction began at 4th Street and Dutton Avenue. During November, the contractor began demolition of the old pavement, installed new drainage structures and graded the new alignment.
The new design of the I35 bridges over 4th and 5th Streets created room for a north to south U-turn before 5th Street on the northbound frontage road, as well as a south to north U-turn before 4th Street on the southbound frontage road. The new design realigns the 4th and 5th Street intersections at Dutton Avenue and the northbound frontage road, separating the intersections from each other. Separating them will increase mobility into, through and out of Baylor University’s campus. With the new configuration, crossing at the intersections will be easier thanks to new accessible curb ramps, marked crosswalks, lighting and pedestrian signals. There is currently a temporary crossing at 5th Street. The pedestrian crossing at 5th Street will remain open for the most part but might close as needed or the foot traffic diverted to 4th Street as construction continues. In an effort to provide updated information to pedestrians and bicyclists during construction, TxDOT has installed pavement clings ahead of crossing areas. The user can scan the QR Code on the pavement cling to pull up an online map that shows the crossings currently open or closed.
Once TxDOT completes the work at 4th Street and Dutton Avenue and the new north to south U-turn before 5th Street, 4th Street will close under I-35. Once 4th Street is reconstructed, TxDOT will close 5th Street under I-35. The new construction is depicted in purple. The work is scheduled for completion in early 2022.
The growth of Baylor University and downtown Waco is also extending south to 11th and 12th Streets. Before I-35 construction, 12th Street was a bridge over the interstate. The new design now has 12th Street under I-35. This will increase mobility not only for vehicular traffic but for pedestrians and bicyclists as well. Having begun the work in May 2019, TxDOT anticipates completing improvements, new U-turns, sidewalks, lighting and pavement for 11th and 12th Streets in early 2023.
Steve James, project manager for the I-35 Waco Project, recently said, “I knew this project was going to be valuable to local and regional travelers. What I didn’t realize was all the concurrent construction that was going to take place by the City of Waco and Baylor University. This community is growing. What has really impressed me, besides the consistent progress of the I-35 contractor, is TxDOT’s willingness to be a good partner to the City of Waco and Baylor University. All three entities continue to meet with a spirit of cooperation. We all have projects and work to complete, but we are all pursuing them as one team. Looking back across my career, this work has been some of the most rewarding.”
Jake Smith
I-35 Public Information Officer
254-867-2705
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