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Waco/Lacy-Lakeview:
Project Description

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The purpose of the Proposed Action is to increase vehicular capacity and improve the operational safety of the section of IH 35 between FM 308 and South Loop 340 in McLennan County. The proposed improvements to this section of IH 35 extend approximately 14 miles. The proposed improvements will require the reconstruction of the existing roadway and structures to meet current state highway design standards to accommodate increased traffic and improve operational safety.

IH 35 is an interstate route that, within Texas, extends from Gainesville to Laredo. In addition to serving as a long distance corridor, IH 35 serves as a commuter route through Waco, Bellmead, Lacy-Lakeview and Elm Mott. The existing Average Daily Traffic (ADT) along the corridor is approximately 83,000. This section of IH 35 has experienced rapid development in recent years due to NAFTA, population growth and other reasons. As a result, traffic volumes along this section of IH 35 are projected to greatly increase in the future to approximately 144,000 by the year 2025.

IH 35 at Loop 340 (North)

IH 35 was originally designed and constructed in the 1960s based on the highway design standards in existence at that time. The existing vertical clearances and vertical alignments do not meet current highway design standards. These substandard design features along with the increasing traffic volumes causes operational deficiencies along the corridor. In addition, existing frontage roads are discontinuous in several locations. The proposed improvements will provide additional mainlanes, continuous frontage roads, and improved ramps and grade separations. Furthermore, some of the structures are approaching the end of their life cycle design and may not allow for the expansion of the mainlanes to accommodate the projected traffic. Therefore, the replacement of structures along the corridor is necessary to provide safe structures that will accommodate the projected traffic growth along the IH 35 corridor. The pavement has greatly deteriorated and shows signs of cracking and pavement displacements. As a result, maintenance costs for the corridor have increased annually.

IH 35 at Behrens Circle

Earth Tech is providing engineering assistance for capacity and safety improvements to this section of IH 35. Earth Tech’s responsibilities include route studies and schematic design, environmental studies, right of way determination, public involvement and preparation of project plans, specifications and estimates.

IH 35 at BUS 77L

IH 35 at the Brazos River

IH 35 at 4th and 5th Streets

IH 35 at 17th and 18th Streets

IH 35 at Valley Mills Drive

The Circle

IH 35 at Loop 340 (South)

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