Construction set to begin on I-35 at SH 123

Serving as the backbone of the regional and national transportation network with 155,000 vehicles traveling through Interstate 35 each day, construction plans have been made for I-35 at State Highway 123 in San Marcos.

The Texas Department of Transportation has planned the construction in order to improve safety, mobility and connectivity for all modes of transportation along the busy interstate.

“The city of San Marcos has experienced tremendous growth,” said Diann Hodges, TxDOT Southwest Communications Director. “Improvements to this area are needed to address bottlenecks and traffic backups that occur on the mainlanes, frontage roads and crossstreet intersections.”

The project will include reconstructing the mainlanes and bridge over SH 123 and Guadalupe Street, including the northbound and southbound I-35 frontage roads. This project also includes reversing and relocating several entrance and exit ramps.

Additionally, exit and entrance lanes will be extended along the mainlanes and frontage roads between State Highway 80 and RM 12.

The project will be broken up into phases with the first being the reconstruction of the northbound I-35 frontage road north of SH 123 and the bridges over the San Marcos River and Willow Springs.

The second and third phases will involve the reconstruction of the southbound I-35 frontage road that is north of SH 123 and the northbound I-35 frontage road that is south of SH 123. This will include the San Marcos River bridge.

“When setting beams over the San Marcos River, we will temporarily close the river to recreational use,” Hodges said. “Advanced notice will be provided.”

Phases four and five will consist of the reconstruction of the northbound and southbound I-35 mainlanes.

The sixth phase will see the reconstruction of the SH 123 and I-35 intersection and the C.M. Allen Parkway exit. Phase seven will be the final paving and striping to finish off the project.

The public is encouraged to sign up for updates regarding closures and other project information through the Mobility35 Program website.

The project will start in August 2021 and is anticipated to be completed by early June 2025, weather permitting.

The $107 million project will be funded by the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) and TxDOT, with Webber, LLC serving as the contractor.

“We will be working in phases, but as always, drivers should slow down and limit their distractions, especially in a work zone,” Hodges said. “We try to perform the most disruptive work in the over night hours, but there could be lane closures and traffic shifts during the day, so please drive carefully and obey the signs in the work zone.”

To sign up for updates or for additional information regarding the project, visit my35construction.org.agonzales

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