Moving The I-35 Corridor Into The Future: Construction Projects That Will Affect Hays County Commuters
TxDOT and My35 Construction are moving the I-35 Corridor into the future with four projects that will affect Hays county commuters in many different ways…
Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and My35 Construction are moving the I-35 Corridor into the future with three projects that will affect Hays County commuters in many different ways.
My35 is working with local Central Texas partners to make Texans’ vision a reality; listed below are four large projects that are either currently underway or will be coming to Hays County, specifically San Marcos and Kyle.
What is My35?
My35 was a unique approach to transportation planning that would put Texas citizens in the driver’s seat. The plan approved by the Texas Transportation Commission, which divided the I35 corridor into four regions: North Texas, Central Texas, Austin-San Antonio and South Texas.
Since 2008, hundreds of Texans have volunteered their time and expertise to develop a blueprint for a safer, smarter and less congested I-35.
Almost half of Texas’ population lives near the interstate, and it plays a major role in our state’s economy. It’s important for Texas citizens to drive the discussion about the future of I-35.
TxDOT is also exploring strategies to efficiently utilize the existing highway by working with local transit agencies, implementing improved traveler information systems and providing travel options for commuters and other peak-period travelers.
In the face of limited funding, TxDOT is working to leverage local and private partnerships to meet the vision outlined by Texans as part of the “My35 Study.”
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Moving the Hays County I-35 Corridor Into the Future
• I-35 from Kyle Crossing to RM 150
Project Overview
This project consists of ramp reversals for four northbound I-35 ramps between Kyle Crossing and RM 150.
- Reverse northbound ramp configurations between Kyle Crossing and RM 150
- Construct an auxiliary lane, or an extended entrance/exit lane, along the northbound frontage road between Kyle Crossing and FM 1626
- Reconstruct the existing northbound frontage road between FM 1626 and RM 150, including the addition of an extended entrance/exit lane and a new bridge over Plum Creek between the two reversed ramps
- Finalized schematic and environmental documentation: early 2017
- Begin Plans Specifications and Estimates (PS&E) documentation: early 2017
- Complete PS&E: anticipated mid-2020
- Construction letting: anticipated mid-2020
- Construction start: anticipated mid-2020
- Construction completion: anticipated early 2022
- Project development funded by TxDOT
- Construction funded by the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization and TxDOT
- Construction cost estimate: $30 million
- Schematic
- Fact Sheet
- Open House Comment and Response Summary
• I-35 from north of River Ridge Parkway to south of Loop 82
Project Overview
This project consists of new northbound I-35 ramps between River Ridge Parkway and Loop 82 (Aquarena Springs Drive). A northbound exit ramp to River Ridge Parkway would be constructed, and an existing northbound entrance ramp south of River Ridge Parkway would be relocated to provide adequate weaving distance.
- Construct northbound exit ramp to River Ridge Parkway
- Relocate existing northbound entrance ramp south of River Ridge Parkway to provide adequate weaving distance
- Reconstruct the northbound frontage road between River Ridge Parkway and Loop 82
- Finalize schematic and environmental documentation: March 2017
- Begin Plans, Specifications and Estimates (PS&E): mid-2016
- Complete PS&E: anticipated late 2020
- Construction letting: anticipated late 2020
- Construction start: anticipated late 2020
- Construction completion: anticipated late 2022
- Project development funded by TxDOT
- Construction funded by the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization and TxDOT
- Construction cost estimate: $11.9 million
- Schematic
- Fact Sheet
- Open House Comment and Response Summary
• I-35 at SH 123
Project Overview
This project has moved into final design and will consist of interchange improvements at I-35 and SH 123 and ramp reversals between SH 80 and RM 12.
- Reconstruct and improve the SH 123 traditional interchange
- Reverse four ramps along the northbound frontage road between SH 80 and RM 12
- Reverse one entrance ramp along the southbound frontage road between SH 80 and SH 123
- Realign the existing southbound exit ramp to SH 123 (CM Allen Parkway)
- Relocate the entrance ramp along the southbound frontage road from SH 80
- Reconstruct portions of the northbound and southbound frontage roads, including improving bicycle and pedestrian accommodations
- Reconstruct the frontage road bridges over Willow Springs Creek
- Raise and reconstruct the northbound frontage road bridge over the San Marcos River
- Widen the southbound frontage road bridge over the San Marcos River
- Reconstruct the main lanes and bridge over SH 123
- Add auxiliary lanes, or extended entrance/exit lanes, to the main lanes and frontage roads
- Finalized schematic and environmental documentation: August 2017
- Begin plans specifications and estimates (PS&E) documentation: August 2017
- Complete PS&E: anticipated spring 2019
- Construction letting: anticipated summer 2021
- Construction start: anticipated fall 2021
- Construction completion: anticipated fall 2023
- Project development funded by TxDOT
- Construction funded by Capital Metropolitan Planning Organization and TxDOT
- Construction cost estimate: $107 million
- Fact Sheet
- Schematic
- Comment and Response Report
I-35 at Posey Road
Project Overview:
This project consists of replacing the existing interchange configuration with a new I-35 main lane bridge over an at-grade reconstructed Posey Road, constructing new approaches, making intersection improvements, adding U-turns, performing ramp reversals, and converting two-way frontage roads to one-way. Currently, the I-35 main lanes go under Posey Road. The new configuration would have the I-35 main lanes going over Posey Road.
- Demolish existing Posey Road bridge, including elevated approaches
- Construct a new I-35 main lane bridge over Posey Road with new frontage road intersections
- Add turn lanes on Posey Road at both the north and southbound frontage road intersections and U-turn lanes
- Reverse six entrance and exit ramps between Centerpoint Road and York Creek Road
- Add auxiliary lanes, or extended entrance/exit lanes, from south of Centerpoint Road to south of Posey Road
- Convert the last two-way frontage roads in Hays County to one-way frontage roads between Posey Road and York Creek Road
- Replace I-35 cross culverts under both frontage roads and mainlanes within main lane reconstruction limits.
- Mill, seal and overlay I-35 main lanes from Centerpoint to the Hays/Comal County line.
- Hays County/TxDOT Partnership Program
- Project development funded by Hays County
- Construction partially funded by TxDOT
- Construction cost estimate: $33 million
- Public open houses: April 2014, January 2015
- Finalize schematic and environmental documentation: fall 2016
- Begin plans, specifications and estimates (PS&E): August 2015
- Complete PS&E: summer 2018
- Construction letting: anticipated summer 2018
- Construction start: anticipated winter 2018/2019
- Construction completion: anticipated winter 2020/2021
- Schematic
A look back at some highlights from TxDOT during 2018
- HERO Patrols More Than One Million Miles in 2018
• Thanks to an additional $2.1 million in funds from the Texas Transportation Commission, the Highway Emergency Response Operator (HERO) Program expanded to seven days a week to help motorists who find themselves stranded or involved in a crash on I-35. The free roadside service patrols along 138 miles of I-35, US 183, US 290, SH 71, and Loop 1 (MoPac) in the greater Austin area from 5 a.m. until 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
- TxDOT launches “There are Some Things More Confining than a Seat Belt” Safety Campaign
• TxDOT partnered with Eden Ganzerla and her family to develop a public safety outreach campaign urging drivers and passengers to always buckle up. The campaign consists of TV and radio public service announcements in both English and Spanish.
TxDOT Prepares for the 2018-2019 winter weather
Winter is right around the corner, and TxDOT is prepared. Maintenance crews recently held an exercise to make sure trucks and anti-icing materials are stocked for icy weather.
TxDOT’s Austin District activated the Emergency Operations Center to conduct a drill where crews in the field reported to their staging areas throughout the entire 11-county district.
This exercise was designed to help ensure the district has the proper manpower, equipment, and supplies at the ready for inclement weather events such as snow or ice.
What can you expect?
TxDOT works closely with meteorologists to monitor weather conditions. When winter precipitation is in the forecast, crews may pretreat roadways with a substance called brine – a saltwater mixture that’s sprayed on the highways.
This can be done days in advance or during the storm event. Brine helps prevent the bonding of ice on roadways and helps to melt the ice or snow into slush. Crews also use liquid and granular deicers, which break up the ice as they hit the pavement. TxDOT doesn’t typically use sand since it provides only temporary traction, and more precipitation can freeze over the top, later making it a slipping hazard.
When inclement weather is forecasted, TxDOT will send crews out to treat roadways, focusing first on major highways, including Loop 360, and then turning the focus to less-traveled state roadways.
Safe traveling begins by preparing yourself and your vehicle for winter driving. Make sure you properly maintain your vehicle and ensure your headlights and taillights are functioning.
When driving, slow down and allow extra time to reach your destination. Increase the distance between your car and others, observe traffic signs and always drive to conditions.
is this construction going to effect my buisness on the access rd ?
Mr. Valdez
We have refereed your question to TxDOT and as soon as they get back to us we will pass this information off to you.
Thank you for reading!
Your Corridor News Team
Mr. Valdez,
We spoke with the Austin of of TxDOT who will be handling the outreach on these projects. They have addtional questions for you and suggested I give you their email address. Please feel free to reach out to Bradley.Wheelis@txdot.gov and he should be able to to answer all your questions concerning these project.
Again, thank you for reading!