Frequently Asked Questions

As questions about the IH 35 Corridor are compiled, they will be answered in this section. This list will be updated frequently but you can always submit a question through the web site for a specific answer.

When will construction actually begin?

We get asked this question a lot! And everything depends on the area of the 94-mile IH 35 corridor that you frequent the most. The Hillsboro area is and has been experiencing initial phase construction projects for months. The north Waco area will begin to see construction any day. However, the remainder of the IH 35 main lane construction could feasibly begin in about three to four years. Isolated projects, such as replacing rural overpass cross bridge structures and constructing new rural frontage roads will begin sooner (approximately two years). Initial construction in the urban areas, specifically Temple and Waco, will begin with projects to provide continuous frontage roads for improvement of local traffic movement. Mainlane construction in these areas may be at least five years away.

Approximately how long a period of time will it take from start to finish?

First you must realize that the IH 35 Corridor through the Waco District is 94 miles in length. The entire length can not or will not be under construction concurrently. We do not have enough phone lines coming into our facilities to handle the phone calls that 94 miles of construction would generate. The plan, which is being developed, will initially increase the capacity of the mainlanes by one lane in each direction. The time to complete this is expected to take 10 to 12 years. And as we had stated in our initial round of public meetings, the ROW acquisition and utility relocation process will be the major issue determining the overall length of time required for this expansion.

Which areas will be under construction first?

Some areas in Waco and Temple/Belton already have 3 lanes in each direction. The current plan is to start at these areas and move north and south to fill in the gaps. The priority areas include south of the IH 35E / IH 35W split in Hill County, LP 340 on the south side of Waco toward Hewitt, the Temple area and south of Salado to the Williamson County Line.

Will the proposed improvements provide a solution to current traffic conditions or will they allow for future anticipated growth as well?

The alternatives being analyzed for IH 35 will improve the current traffic conditions by providing a safer, more efficient facility. Improvements will be based on projected traffic conditions for the year 2025. In addition, the goal is to add capacity to the extent that is determined to be feasible. In the urban areas of the corridor, there are greater issues involved in determining the maximum number of lanes that are feasible. If some of those issues become so great that capacity cannot be achieved on the existing corridor, for planning purposes alternate routes may have to be considered for additional capacity.

What solution is proposed for existing traffic while rebuilding IH 35?

There are two scenarios that have to be examined to answer this question. First, in the rural areas of the corridor, 2 lanes will remain open at all times in each direction of travel. Concrete barriers will separate the traveling public from the construction work zones and emergency “pull over” areas will exist within all phases of construction. Second, typically during a freeway reconstruction project there are numerous phases to allow traffic to continue to use a facility while it is being reconstructed. At this time we do not have a plan for the reconstruction phasing in the urban areas. But, we will be evaluating the possibility, in the urban areas, of diverting traffic to alternate facilities which would be designated as a construction relief route.

What about safety and speed limits during construction?

Safety is our #1 priority. As engineers for the Department we strive to provide the traveling public a construction project that not only meets their needs but also expedites the work to the greatest extent possible. In addition, TxDOT will be working with various cities, communities and local law enforcement agencies to develop a plan for active speed control. The Department is also working on an Incident Management Plan to notify drivers of alternate routes during unexpected events.

If you add more lanes, won’t the traffic increase even more?

If you build it they will come. We tried to express at the initial round of public meetings what we foresee as the traffic numbers for the year 2025. Combining that with the historical traffic data that was also presented, TxDOT does feel confident in the projections that are being used for this planned expansion. However, the Texas economy and NAFTA will continue to have an impact on the corridor. But, so will other proposed NAFTA routes being planned and opening over the upcoming years. This should help to balance the overall capacity and life of the IH 35 Corridor.

Can designated lanes of IH 35 be used for truck traffic?

It is our full intent to explore all possibilities when it comes to the inclusion of lanes designated for “Trucks Only.” At this time it is our understanding that this may not be possible legislatively, however, with the public outcry that this office has received regarding this issue, we intend to make every effort at an attempt for designated truck lanes (not a truck route). IH 35 could possibly end up being a test case for further study, but we are asking the public to bear with us, we share your concern.

Can a completely different highway be built missing all towns?

Long range planning will require the Texas Department of Transportation to look at an alternate highway to accommodate traffic past the year 2025. However, a majority of the existing facility was built between 1953 to 1965 making it anywhere from 35-47 years old. The existing pavements and bridges are in immediate need of being reconstructed and brought up to current design standards. Planning for an alternate highway is a monumental task. The environmental process alone for a “New Location Facility” would require an EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) which could take anywhere from 4-7 years. Then again, there would be the necessary purchasing of Right of Way and Utility relocation and the reality would be a optimistic start of construction in 10 or more years.

What are you doing to look into reducing the noise level of the road surface of the highway?

We are using a newly developed hot mix asphalt surface on a recently contracted construction project (pilot project). One of the attributes of this hot mix is the reduction of road surface noise. Results have been verified in the laboratory and in actual placement on freeway facilities in the Atlanta, GA metropolitan area. On our initial pilot project we have taken existing noise level readings and will take final readings at the conclusion of the project to determine its effectiveness and possible use on future projects along the corridor. Again, this is a surface that has proven successful in Europe and Georgia. TxDOT is anxiously anticipating that the same success can be duplicated along portions of the IH 35 corridor.