Totaling $1.5 billion in design and build costs, construction began in June 2022 from contractor Alamo NEX Construction. The project creates three elevated lanes, comprising two main lanes and one high-occupancy vehicle, or HOV, lane, for both northbound and southbound directions. The elevated lanes will provide direct connections to Loop 410 North and Loop 1604 West, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.
“[The project] will improve mobility and operational efficiency along the I-35 corridor in a manner that will manage vehicle congestion for the 25-year planning horizon,” said Marco Galindo, an alternative project delivery supervisor for TxDOT. “Opening of the elevated lanes will also promote efficient use of the existing transportation facilities as well as reduce travel times.”
The project is also building ramps to connect the I-35 main lanes to elevated lanes and reconfiguring entrance and exit ramps throughout northeast San Antonio.
Digging deeper
The crux of the project lies in building the elevated lanes, broken down into five elements.
The most common foundation type for TxDOT bridges is drilled shafts. A drill shaft is created by drilling a hole into the soil or rock, followed by the installation of reinforcement and the filling of the hole with concrete. Bridge columns are upright supports that attach the foundation to bent bridge caps, which in turn support the bridge’s beams and deck. Bent bridge caps are a horizontal element that transfers load-bearing capacity from the bridge deck to the columns beneath, according to a TxDOT bridge design manual.
Galindo said that the scope of building out over 20 miles of these bridges has presented challenges due to its “high pace of production.”
“Activities such as concrete pours, excavations, beam placement, material delivery, etc., require placing large and heavy equipment in the middle of lanes. This is extremely challenging with over 200K+ vehicles that utilize this corridor daily,” Galindo said.
Public input
While the project aims to alleviate congestion on I-35 and reduce travel times, the construction process has been a nuisance for some residents of northeast San Antonio.
Cibolo resident Ashley Kaminsky told Community Impact that she tries her best to avoid I-35.
“It can be very dangerous at times, especially since so many drivers are frustrated and in too much of a rush. Sometimes, the closures that alternate are confusing, especially [in] the dark,” Kaminsky said.
Marci Ramirez, a local who commutes from O’Connor Road in San Antonio to FM 3009 in Schertz, said her commute has gone from 15 minutes to upwards of 40 minutes during rush hour.
“Traffic is much heavier now, and it doesn’t matter the time of day ... if a driver is [not] familiar with the frontage road exits, it’s a nightmare. You just don’t know where you’re getting forced off,” Ramirez said.
Measuring the impact
The timing of the project is based on the expected traffic growth along I-35. According to TxDOT, traffic volume along I-35 is expected to increase by 40% to 130% in daily traffic from the preconstruction to post-construction period. Despite the growth, travel time from FM 3009 to the Frost Bank Center is expected to decline by 41% to 48% once construction is complete. The project will also contribute to the already rapid business growth in the area. Scott Wayman, executive director of the Schertz Economic Development Corporation, said the city has been transitioning to retail operations off the interstate.
Looking ahead
The project—now 62% complete—is estimated to wrap up in late 2027, Galindo said. Residents can stay informed about road closures that affect them through TxDOT’s social media channels.
