I-35 Selma: Projected rain and its effects

Rain in the forecast has again pushed back the planned closure of the northbound exit ramps to FM 3009. Crews will shut down the ramp the night of Sunday, October 13, to add a lane and fit the ramp to other improvements along I-35 between Loop 1604 and FM 3009.

Inclement weather for the third consecutive weekend will push the closure of the northbound exit ramp to FM 3009 to October 13.

The ramp will remain closed for three weeks. When it is reopened by the end of the month, crews hope to have the north-to-south turnaround ready for use as well.

The ramp had initially been planned to close at the end of September. Continued wet weather has postponed the closure, but is not causing overall delays on the job. Crews planned for the FM 3009 ramp have been working on the southbound exit ramp to Olympia Parkway, which should be reopened in time for the holiday season.

The contractor, Dan Williams Company, makes these decisions with the intent to maximize the use of time while the ramp is closed. They only have three weeks to rebuild the exit ramp, which requires heavy excavation. That dirt work can't be done efficiently with sloppy, muddy ground.

Because rain soaks into the ground and can take several days to dry up, a rainy weekend can spoil a work zone like this for as many as four days.

While rain is postponing the milestone on FM 3009, crews continue to push forward with the cosntruction of the northbound exit ramp to Forum Parkway. Bridge support columns should be finished by the middle of this month, and project supervisors anticipate hanging bridge support beams and laying out the bridge deck before the month is over.