The Texas Department of Transportation will close the I-35 northbound entrance ramp directly south of South Kowald Lane for two months beginning Oct. 9 at 9 a.m.

New Braunfels drivers can avoid the entrance ramp closure by using an entrance north of Kowald near the intersection of FM 306 and Creekside Crossing, TxDOT said.

According to TxDOT, the ramp closure is necessary in order to replace the entrance ramp with an exit ramp and is part of a series of I-35 safety and operational improvements that will take place across Comal County until March 2021.

The improvements will overhaul I-35 main lanes between the Guadalupe River and FM 306, relocate and reverse entrance and exit ramps and improve the I-35/FM 306 intersection with a displaced left turn configuration.

The last hurdle for local drivers will be the reconstruction of the I-35/FM 306 northbound turnaround, which is scheduled to take place in September 2020.

TxDOT documents indicated the displaced left turn lane, near Buc-ee’s, should enhance driver safety and reduce congestion at the I-35/FM 306 intersection. Entrance and exit ramp revisions will allow traffic to exit I-35 northbound of nearby intersections.