Santa helped open the northbound I-35
exit ramp to Forum Parkway this morning, and with the added effort of our
contractor (Dan Williams Construction) we’ve ensured that all roads are open to
Forum Parkway in time for Black Friday and the holiday shopping season.
The ramp closed earlier this year to be rebuilt as part of a
$24 million project that enhances safety and addresses congestion along I-35
between Loop 1604 and Farm to Market 3009. The ramp bridges northbound traffic
headed to Forum Parkway over traffic from Loop 1604 onto northbound I-35, separating
traffic streams that previously competed for space using a zipper weave. The
old ramps were adequate when the interchange was built, but growth fueled the
need for change.
Celebrating the new ramp were representatives of the city of
Selma, the city of Live Oak and representatives of The Forum at Olympia Parkway.
With all roads open to Forum Parkway, our crews are as excited to move on to
other portions of the project as the merchants in the area are about having
unfettered access to their stores.
All work at Forum Parkway isn’t done, though. In order to be
ready for the holiday weekend, a temporary layer of asphalt was put down during
the cold snap through the weekend. The final layer will be placed next week,
requiring a temporary daytime closure in the process. We’re coordinating that effort
with local stakeholders to ensure minimal impacts.
The bottom line: all roads are open to Forum Parkway; Santa
even made a trip to check it out twice!
