By Ana Ruiz Brictson | Staff Writer
Waco’s I-35 construction will continue through the rest of the semester on the northbound side, as the construction crew pursues completion of “all 588 miles” of the roadway.
Jake Smith, public information officer for the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) Waco District, said currently, the construction crew has moved to the northbound side of I-35, thereby shifting all traffic to the southbound side. He said work is focused on the northbound overpasses and will eventually move to the northbound main lanes.
“The I-35 project is making significant progress, and the numbers bear that out,” Smith said. “80% of the contract’s dollars have been used, compared to 62% of the contract’s time. So whenever we compare those numbers, it indicates significant progress being made.”
Smith also made a note for Baylor students, faculty and staff who utilize the pedestrian crossings under I-35 to be on the lookout for impact on eastbound and westbound traffic.
Currently, five pedestrian crossings are open: the South side of Behrens Circle, the South side of Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard, the South side of University Parks Drive and 5th Street. Pedestrians can also check this website to look for active crossings amid construction.
Smith also suggested that people check out the Waco4bmap website to view construction updates.
Houston sophomore Alejandra Flores said it is hard for her to figure out the roads of Waco.
“It’s just made my commute so much more difficult than it needs to be,” Flores said. “The roads are changing every single day, and I get so lost, especially because I’m not from Waco.”
Smith said Baylor students, faculty and staff can expect construction to continue on the northbound side after returning from the winter break.
“We just encourage people to stay informed,” Smith said. “Stay tuned in to your local newspapers and TxDOT, as we send out information on that, and we’re going to keep you all up to date on crosswalk closures and lane closures for those who drive.”
