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Drivers frustrated with construction on Interstate 35 through Waco may be waiting a while longer. The project isn’t expected to wrap up until 2029.
“We’re expecting completion by 2029,” said Jake Smith, a spokesperson for the Texas Department of Transportation.
The work covers the stretch of I-35 between 12th Street and South Loop 340. Starting last month, all traffic was shifted to the southbound lanes. In two years, traffic will flip to the northbound lanes while crews finish the widening project.
“What was previously six main lanes is now going to be eight main lanes,” Smith said.
In addition to the added capacity, Smith said the project aims to improve safety, reduce congestion, and update frontage roads and intersections. That includes removing the northbound on-ramp flyover from Valley Mills to I-35.
“The ramp will be removed and replaced by a diverging diamond intersection, which reduces potential crash points by nearly 50 percent,” he said.
The design will include new turnarounds and intersections that Smith described as similar to a traffic circle with lights.
The city is also conducting road work on Lake Air Drive and Franklin Avenue. They're also set to start widening work on Chapel Road soon, and continue until 2027.
In addition to the city work and I-35 project, TxDOT is also overseeing the replacement of the Twin Bridges over Lake Waco. The current structures are more than 60 years old.
“They are approaching the end of their design life, so it’s important to replace them with safer structures,” Smith said.
Drivers won’t see major traffic disruptions on the bridges until next year, when traffic will be switched to one bridge to begin the replacement process.
Until then, Smith said the best advice for drivers is to slow down.
“Give yourself plenty of time so you’re not in a rush … putting away distractions and just driving safe. That’s what we want – safety for the traveling public,” he said.
For updates on road work and traffic changes, drivers can follow TxDOT’s Waco District on Facebook or check local news outlets.
Got a tip? Email Molly-Jo Tilton at Molly-jo_tilton@baylor.edu.
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