A Journey in the I-35 Construction Zone

Friends,

     Mondays, 6 P.M. James Construction gives me a tour of the I-35 Construction Project.  This is probably confusing but maybe the vision can be captured.  My apology for not making it clearer.

We are starting on the frontage road by Stagecoach and going north.  We will circle back over 2484 Bridge and go south.

This is the completed bridge on the east side of I-35.  Right behind me is Stagecoach.  At the other end of the Bridge is the Baptist Church.  Notice how the bridge looks.  Now look at the next picture.

This is on the west side of the bridge exactly opposite the above picture.  It is the bridge and road that washed out in the last rain.  Behind me is Thomas Arnold and in front of me is Holland Road Bridge.

When this bridge is completed in October it will look like the above bridge.

Just to the left of the above picture is the new I-35 bridge being completed.  Just to right of this bridge, about 20 yards is the bridge and road that washed out.  Again, see picture above.

The long beams were laid this week.  See the planks by the blue tractor.  They go on the long bridge beams and concrete is poured on top of them.  This process is fast according to James Construction.  

This is another picture of the bridge planks/pads/blocks.  See the beams above?

We are back on the east side looking at the service road.  Thomas Arnold Bridge is front of you.  To the left of the picture is the Church of Christ and to the immediate left is the Municipal Building (can't see it, but it is there.  Do you see the white pole behind the orange cones?  That is the new exit being built off of I-35.  See the picture below

The buildings on the far right are the Sewing Basket and Old Town Salado.  That is approximately where the exit will end.  Notice the dirt on the left.  The exit is being built now.

You are familiar with this bridge -- Salado Plaza Bridge.  Compass Bank is on the right; Cowboys on the left.  This road going north will be the detour road while constructing the new Salado Plaza Bridge.

This road will be 4 lanes going north and south.  Look at the next picture.

 Just behind me and the orange striped barricade is the old Salado Plaza Bridge.  About where the white truck is will be the detour off I-35.  Horizon bank is on the left.  No traffic will be detoured on our service/frontage roads.  It will all be in the footprint of the I-35 Construction.

This is another picture of the Detour Road.  Dave's Barbershop is on the right.  The Holiday Inn Express is north.  The 2484 Bridge can barely be seen.  Notice the white truck traveling down the service road.  

This is the detour road from the Thomas Arnold Bridge.  The old Salado Plaza Bridge is south.  Please know the Detour Road begins about 200 yards south of Salado Plaza Bridge and reconnects with I-35 just north of the 2484 Bridge.  Distance about a mile.

This is another picture of the Detour Road to the far left of the traffic.  By the way, the Detour Road will be part of the new I-35.

Have you seen this blacktop road from the 2484 bridge.  It runs South.  Robertson's is straight ahead.

This is the new frontage road.  I-35 is to the left.

Finally, see the stakes behind the orange striped barricade?

Look closely.  That is where the caves are.  CEFCO is to the right.

      I hope this is not confusing.  However a picture is worth a 1000 words.  Yes, James Construction is still saying this will be done before Thanksgiving.

VR/Skip