I-35 closures coming with $1.5 billion construction project

Work on a $1.5 billion project targeting traffic congestion on Interstate 35 is underway.

the I-35 NEX Central Projectwhich will span 9.5 miles from the 410 North Loop in San Antonio to FM 3009 in Schertz, is expected to be completed by 2027.

Here’s everything you need to know about what you’ll see in the area as the Texas Department of Transportation project gets underway.

1) What’s in a name

The NEX in the project name stands for Northeast Expansion.

The project will increase traffic capacity with elevated lanes, high occupancy vehicle lanes and flyovers to the 410 Loop and the 1604 West Loop, according to a news release.

2) What awaits you

Contractor Alamo NEX Construction has begun preliminary work such as geotechnical drilling and utility caving, but TxDOT San Antonio District District Engineer Gina Gallegos said people will start seeing equipment construction and road closures associated with the project next month.

When construction begins, traffic shouldn’t be much affected from the start, Gallegos said, as a lot of work will be done on nights and weekends to begin with, but there will eventually be lane closures during the day as well. .

Gallegos said that when things like full-length lane closures are approaching, TxDOT will notify nearby businesses and the traveling public in advance.

“I know it’s going to be frustrating,” Gallegos said. “Construction always frustrates drivers. But we need everyone to remember that the aim of this project is to improve safety and mobility. We’re trying to accommodate the traffic growth on the 35. And once we’ve completed this project, we’re very confident that it will accommodate that traffic growth; it will reduce travel time; and it’s just going to serve the traffic in that area.

3) What is it about

Currently, more than 200,000 vehicles pass through the project area every day. Gallegos said traffic is expected to more than double over the next 20 years.

When NEX Central is complete, Gallegos said drivers in the nearly 10-mile stretch should see a travel time savings of more than 50%.

“So it’s going to dramatically improve our safety and our mobility, it’s going to really reduce travel time for drivers and commuters, and it’s just meeting the needs of this region,” she said.

4) What the future holds

NEX Central is the first expansion of three TxDOT is planning along a 20-mile stretch just north of the AT&T Center Parkway to FM 1103.

The next expansion is called “South” and will cover approximately 6.5 miles, while the final piece called “North” will cover the last few miles of the full 20-mile plan.

The $654 million South Project will begin in fall 2023 and is already funded, Gallegos said.

Although the northern segment is currently unfunded, Gallegos said TxDOT is working with the Texas Transportation Commission to identify funds to complete the work. Currently, Gallegos expects the northern section to cost $165 million, but said prices could rise for materials until the project is funded.

5) What’s the plan, Stan

NEX Central project part of statewide strategic plan Texas Clear Lanes, which Gallegos says aims to relieve congestion with toll-free roads. Texas Clear Lanes targets the five metro areas of San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston.

“IH-35 is one of the most congested Texas roads in the state, which is why it has been identified as a Texas Clear Lanes project, which is why it makes the I-35 NEX project a crucial part of this initiative,” said Gallegos. .

More information about the project can be found at I35NEX.com.

[email protected]

Comments are closed.