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More construction set for I-35 in Waco

The Texas Department of Transportation is looking to start a new construction project on I-35 between the north and south loop in Waco. The project will add a fourth lane on each side of the interstate, extend frontage roads and realign ramps.

WACO, Texas — Interstate 35 is a gateway to the state of Texas, and millions of dollars have been invested to expand the roads throughout the Waco District through the years.

“It needed to be rebuilt to new standards and to the new reality of what the traffic load is and is likely to be in the future,” said I-35 spokesperson Jodi Wheatley.

The Waco District covers Bell, Bosque, Coryell, Falls, Hamilton, Hill, Limestone and McLennan counties.The construction project expanded the interstate to three lanes of traffic, moving both ways, to accommodate the traffic increases.

“We were two lanes carrying way too much traffic with lots of trucks and little bitty access roads,” Wheatley said.

While the original construction wrapped up in Waco, the Temple and Bruceville-Eddy areas are still under work.

Starting next year, the Texas Department of Transportation is looking to re-open construction in Waco between the north and south loop.

The new project would add a fourth lane on each side of the interstate, extend frontage roads and realign ramps. According to TXDOT’s website, the project will cost $200M and cover nearly seven and a half miles of the interstate.

“It is built back behind that instead of having to build and get smashed down and built again," Wheatley said. "They built back further from the road and allowed the space that we will take to expand. It’s just sitting there being grass and median."

Wheatley said the project will not be as extensive as the previous construction in the area.

This area is a gateway for the city of Waco, and the future construction zone will allow drivers to exit to Baylor University, downtown Waco and many local businesses.

“We are a small business-- you know we depend on a daily traffic flow of people coming in, and I’m afraid... it would affect us," Freddie Johnson, owner of the Cupp's Drive Inn, said. "If we’re not getting enough people come through every day we may end up going out of business at some point."

The Cupp’s Drive Inn is located a few blocks away from the interstate.

Johnson said they have experienced the construction before and are worried it could cause some problems for them when it opens again.

Johnson is not the only business owner worried about the new construction.

Julie Keith, the owner of Vitek’s BBQ, said it’s natural to be worried about construction in the area but hopes her business’ reputation will hold them over through the new construction project.

“I think construction is always a hassle, but I don’t want to sit in worry mode," Keith said. "I think we will keep a positive outlook of how long we have been here."

Other business owners and managers said they felt the construction's impact in a different way.

“We do get a lot of the construction people that are working on I-35,” said Angela Rivera, assistant manager at Super 8 Hotel.

During construction periods, Rivera said the workers stay in their hotel while they are working on the roads. The Super 8 is right off I-35 and a few blocks away from Baylor.

Nearly all the business owners interviewed said they would like to work closely with TXDOT during the new project to avoid any potential problems with their businesses.

Wheatley said the department tries to work with the businesses as efficiently and effectively as possible.

“We do personal contacts with business owners and residents in areas that we're going to be impacted to get them the information,” Wheatley said.

In addition to working with the businesses, Wheatley said they also try to guide drivers as best they can if an exit or road is closed in the area.

“We also try to do good signage and say you know, 'This is how to get one way-- this is going to be closed so take this road instead,'” Wheatley said.

Some business owners interviewed said ultimately the construction could benefit the area.

“We have so many things that Waco has to offer," Johnson said. "We have a lot of good eateries in Waco and places to stop and they are making this a place to stop from Dallas to Austin."

To learn more about current and future TXDOT projects visit their project tracker.

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