Make-A-Wish child to push button to implode Northbound I-35 to Northbound US 183 flyover

Staff Reports

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Transportation has teamed up with Make-A-Wish Central & South Texas to provide an opportunity for a Leukemia survivor to push the button to implode two spans of the northbound I-35 to northbound US 183 flyover. Six-year-old Archer will help TxDOT bring down these final sections of the bridge, making way for a new, longer flyover. (See demonstration video.)

To complete the work, on Saturday, May 15 between 6 and 8 a.m., crews will temporarily close both directions of the I-35 and US 183 main lanes and frontage roads at the I-35/US 183 interchange, weather permitting. Traffic will be stopped for approximately 20 minutes.

The new extended flyover will lessen the grade and allow for a new northbound bypass lane at St. John’s Avenue and a new entrance ramp to northbound I-35.

While the flyover is closed for reconstruction, northbound I-35 drivers wishing to access northbound US 183 will use the Rundberg Lane exit (#241) and take the non-signalized U-turn at Rundberg Lane to access the newly opened southbound I-35 to northbound US 183 flyover. (See detour video.) A second new flyover, the southbound I-35 to southbound US 183 flyover also opened, providing direct access between the two highways.

This work is anticipated to take approximately four months to complete.

Road signs have been placed to alert drivers of the upcoming closures. TxDOT asks the traveling public to be patient and remain aware when traveling through the work zone. To learn more about this project, visit My35Construction.org.