Bradley Wheelis, a spokesperson for TxDOT's Austin district, said the construction should be finished—depending on weather issues—by early 2023, and drivers can expect to see nightly left-lane closures throughout the project.
"Crews will close the left lane in both directions of I-35 to install sections of the barrier," Wheelis said. "They are working north of Rundberg [Lane] first. Closures will be between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. The limits of the closures will depend on where they are on installation. Road signs have been placed to alert drivers."
Wheelis said this project will cost $3.5 million and should save many lives.
“After installing the initial pedestrian barrier in 2020, the Austin district saw an 89% reduction in pedestrian fatalities within the project limits,” said TxDOT Austin District Engineer Tucker Ferguson in a press release. “By expanding on our previous efforts, we want to continue building toward our goal of ending all deaths on Texas roads by 2050.”
The barriers consist of 2-foot panels on top of the center median concrete barriers, Wheelis said. Currently, there is a 3.5-mile stretch of pedestrian barriers along I-35 between 51st Street and Rundberg Lane. This project will add new barriers along I-35 between Greenlawn Boulevard to Rundberg Lane, Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to Lady Bird Lake, and Riverside Drive to SH-45 Southeast.
In addition to preventing pedestrian fatalities, the barriers can be removed quickly by emergency personnel for access in the event of a crash, Wheelis said.
"It will also help reduce headlight glare from oncoming traffic," he said.
Those seeking more information can contact Wheelis at 512-832-7060 or visit TxDOT online.
