This process required crews to close all eastbound mainlanes, add new temporary asphalt pavement to tie or transition into the existing pavement, set barriers to guide traffic to the new pavement section and open the eastbound lanes and new temporary pavement tie-ins to traffic.
Crews have been monitoring the temporary asphalt pavement tie-ins connecting the existing mainlanes with new pavement in the median area to ensure they perform as expected during peak traffic periods.
After observing some potential issues with the temporary pavement on the eastern-most tie-in near Foster Road, crews have diverted mainlane traffic for a short distance onto the frontage road and then back onto the mainlanes to conduct maintenance work. These closures may be required tonight through tomorrow to ensure that the individual layers of hot asphalt used in the repairs have enough time to cool and harden to appropriately sustain traffic. The contractor wants to make sure to get it right.
Crews will be on standby throughout the July 4th weekend to address any additional maintenance-related issues that could arise. Additionally, as we pointed out in a previous blog post, ongoing maintenance of all temporary pavement will be required throughout the summer until traffic is shifted again and the tie-ins are no longer needed (this includes the long-term closure of the eastbound Ackerman exit). Intermittent lane closures can be expected during this time to address to address any potential necessary pavement repairs.
We appreciate everyone’s patience as our contractors continue making progress on this major highway expansion project in this area, part of the overall effort eventually extending into Guadalupe County with the goal of vastly improving mobility across the entire I-10 corridor between San Antonio and Houston.