The Texas Department of Transportation began a yearlong project May 2 to replace the Slaughter Creek overpass at I-35 and build a new southbound to northbound U-turn bridge. Capital Excavation will replace the Slaughter Creek overpass, adding a southbound-to-northbound U-turn bridge and safety lighting in the area. The TxDOT bridge at I-35 will have three lanes, sidewalks and shoulders. Work includes widening the southbound frontage road to two lanes through the creek intersection.[/caption] Contractor Capital Excavation is working on the overpass and bridge, according to a TxDOT news release. The $9.2 million project—the first of many as part of the Mobility 35 initiative—also includes adding safety lighting from Slaughter Lane to Onion Creek Parkway and widening the southbound I-35 frontage road to two lanes through the intersection at Slaughter Creek, according to TxDOT. There likely will be a few delays as a result of the construction, TxDOT spokesperson Kelli Reyna said, adding rebuilding the bridge will necessitate a full closure sometime in June. During that time, drivers making a U-turn will have to use Onion Creek Parkway or Slaughter Lane instead, she said. Safety is a priority for TxDOT as traffic is increasing on major thoroughfares such as I-35, TxDOT area engineer Mike McKissick said in the release. “The new Slaughter Creek bridge will replace the existing narrow bridge that is frequently damaged by vehicles too large to properly make the U-turn movements and will raise the height of the bridge over the I-35 mainlanes to meet today’s standards,” he said. The project's construction is being funded by Proposition 1, which state voters approved in November 2014 to dedicate some oil and gas tax revenue to the state highway fund.