Thursday, September 17

Major weekend closure: I-35

Note: Plans for these closures were changed Friday afternoon. The new plans are less impactful, and were brought by the contractor in an effort to appease those driving the area. These changes will also require longer hours for work. See below for the new plan.
 
Drivers along I-35 near SAMMC have likely noticed signs flashing a warning about closures set for this weekend along the corridor. Here are a few details about the what, why and when:

What

Sunday (Sept. 20) the two left lanes of the southbound main lanes will close between George Beach and AT&T Center Parkway. Crews will also close the direct connector from northbound I-410 to southbound I-35 in order to keep traffic off the closed portion of I-35. Traffic will exit FM 78, turn left at Binz-Engleman and continue on to the southbound I-35 frontage road.
You'll take a few turns, but reaching southbound I-35 from northbound I-410 will be as simple as exiting FM 78 (Kirby Road) Sunday morning.
Monday night into Tuesday morning (Sept. 21-22), the two left lanes of the northbound main lanes will close between AT&T Center Parkway and Binz-Engleman.

Why

All these closures will allow Lane Construction to set bridge support beams that will help add some width to I-35 as it runs over Salado Creek. The number of beams to be set is pretty minimal, so the work should go pretty quickly. All told, the project should wrap up early 2016. When we're done you'll see new lanes - auxiliary lanes - and some revisions to the ramps that will greatly improve the flow of traffic here.

When

Sunday closures (southbound side) will start at 3 a.m. and be wrapped up, weather permitting, by 3 p.m.

Monday evening closures (northbound side) will start at 9 p.m. and continue until 5 a.m. Tuesday.

Here are the highlights
  • NO CLOSURES SATURDAY
  • Southbound main lanes will have two (out of three) lanes closed between George Beach and AT&T Center Parkway Sunday, 3 a.m. until 3 p.m.
  • Northbound main lanes will have two (out of three) lanes closed between AT&T Center Parkway and Binz-Engleman Monday night, 9 p.m. until Tuesday at 5 a.m.
  • NO FULL MAIN LANE CLOSURES
  • Closure of NB I-410 ramp to SB I-35 still in effect Sunday, 3 a.m. until 3 p.m.