My35 Central Texas Newsletter: March 2021

Progress During a Pandemic: The I-35 Waco Construction Team’s New Pavement and Nine Bridges

Challenges often elicit two reactions: either you sink into the dark depths or you swim to the water’s surface. This month marks the COVID-19 pandemic's one-year anniversary — if we can call it that. When the pandemic hit during I-35 Waco 4B Project, the TxDOT Waco District's team chose to keep swimming. | Read More

My35 Waco Construction Project Recognized by National Operators Center of Excellence

In March, the National Operators Center of Excellence (NOCoE) recognized TxDOT’s My35 Waco Construction Project for research excellence in using transportation systems management and operations (TSMO) practices to maximize safety in work zones along the corridor. | Read More

Construction Updates

Section 4B: Waco (12th Street to North Loop 340)

Access this section's project map (schematic).

Milestones

• The southbound retaining wall panels were set.
• Completed the installation of the major storm drainage trunk lines along the southbound frontage road.
• Completed the construction of the approaches for the southbound bridges over the Brazos River, UPRR, US 77, US 84, and Behrens Circle.
• Completed the southbound mainlane paving south of US 77.
• Shifted traffic onto portions of the new northbound frontage road.
• Shifted southbound mainlane traffic onto new mainlane pavement south of US 77.
• Shifted northbound mainlane traffic ono new mainlane pavement south of US 77.

Down the Road

• Continue sidewalk and driveway construction for the northbound and southbound access road from Behrens Circle to 12th Street.
• Continue to replace side-street intersections along the southbound access road between 18th and 11th Streets.
• Begin setting the northbound retaining wall.
• Continue the east- and west-end replacement of Culvert 5 (Waco Creek).
• Continue tying individual inlets to the southbound stormwater trunk line.
• Continue construction of US 84 / Waco Drive on the east side of I-35.
• Continue northbound frontage road paving, side streets, and driveways throughout the project.
• Continue to upgrade utilities specifically at 2nd and 4th Streets at the southbound frontage road.
• Shift traffic onto portions of the new northbound frontage road north of US 84.
• Shift southbound mainlane traffic onto new pavement north of US 77.
• Shift northbound mainlane traffic onto new pavement north of US 77.
• Demolish the northbound mainlane bridges over MLK Boulevard., University Parks Drive, 4th/5th Streets, and the Brazos River.
• Continue removing old pavement from the former northbound main lanes.
• Begin drill shaft operations for new northbound structures after bridge demolitions are complete.

I-35E Expansion (I-35 East/West split to Ellis County line)

Milestones

• Completed building the Phase 2 portion of substructures for the new bridges at FM 934 and FM 2959 at I-35E.
• Switch southbound I-35E traffic onto the new concrete pavement south of FM 2959.
• Erect prestressed beams over I-35E at FM 2959 and FM 934.
• Erect prestressed beams along southbound I-35E over I-35W.

Down the Road

• Continue building the Phase 2 portion of substructures for the new bridges at FM 2959, and southbound I-35E over I-35W.
• Continue building the retaining walls at FM 2959 and FM 934.
• Continue to construct Phase 2 concrete pavement along I-35E.
• Deck pour for the new bridges at FM 934 and FM 2959 at I-35E.
• Continue to construct abutments and wing walls per Phase 2.

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