This project, taking place within the city of San Marcos in central Texas, consists of replacing the existing underpass interchange configuration with a new I-35 overpass at Posey Road.
(My I-35 photo)
Many sections of I-35, a highly traveled highway in Texas are undergoing repairs and reconstruction. One of these projects is the Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT) $31.7 million (construction cost) I-35 at Posey Road project that was awarded to Webber LLC.
This project, taking place within the city of San Marcos in central Texas, consists of replacing the existing underpass interchange configuration with a new I-35 overpass at Posey Road.
The new overpass involves constructing approaches on I-35 with mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) retaining walls. Additional improvements include converting the existing two-way frontage roads to one-way, and constructing U-turns for the new at-grade intersection, as well as relocating and reversing the existing entrance and exit ramps on both the northbound and southbound sides.
What Has Been Completed?
Thus far, Webber has nearly completed the first two phases of a four-phase project by demolishing the existing bridge structure, extending major culverts, installing new drainage structures, reworking base materials and placing subgrade for the proposed mainlanes.
Webber is currently working to finish paving the proposed northbound mainlanes and place subgrade on the proposed northbound ramps. The goals for the remainder of the work are to switch traffic to the new northbound mainlanes this Spring, construct the remaining phases of the new overpass, continue replacing existing culverts, reverse the southbound ramps, and complete the new intersection for Posey Road.
Shawn Corbello, Webber's project manager, is pleased with the progress.
"While each project has its own challenges, the one constant is if all the stakeholders collaborate and work as a team, these can be overcome," Corbello said. "We are working closely with the TxDOT team to advance the project by looking further into the schedule to help identify potential issues and thus, minimizing impacts to the project.
"I am very fortunate to work with such a talented team," added Corbello. "The Webber team shares the same primary goal, which is working safely first and sending everyone home the same way they came to work that morning. The team consists of people with diverse experiences and skill sets. This allows us to approach each problem with different mindsets and openness to novel ideas. There is a sense of pride amongst the crews as they work tirelessly towards the completion of the project and improvement of our infrastructure."
Construction and Challenges
"Rain, more than anything, is one of the biggest challenges to the project," said Mark Maloy, TxDOT's project manager. "This has made it difficult to place and cure subgrade. It's not a new challenge to construction, but it is a persistent one."
The first phase of this project required demolishing the existing bridge and converting the existing two-way frontage roads to one-way.
"The new overpass and approaches are being constructed in separate phases," said Maloy. "Phase II required crews to shift the existing center barrier and travel lanes so we could build approximately 40 feet of the new northbound bridge and approaches. Phase III will require us to shift northbound traffic to the new section constructed in Phase II and construct the center third of the new bridge and approaches.
"Phase IV requires us to shift the southbound traffic to the section constructed under Phase III and construct the remaining outside third of the new bridge and approaches, as well as complete the at-grade intersection and open it to traffic," he added. "This contract has a milestone and it started when the existing Posey Road bridge was demolished and it will end when the at-grade intersection is open to traffic."
The majority of the bridge demolition was successfully accomplished over two nights last May. The concrete deck was cut longitudinally between the concrete beams and each beam was lifted by a crane and set on a truck to be demolished offsite.
"The contractor opted for this method due to concerns of demolishing the bridge with live traffic under the adjacent spans," said Maloy. "This process was repeated for the two spans covering the mainlanes. The remaining bridge portions over the frontage roads were demolished in place using conventional hydraulic hammers."
The milling, sealing and overlay on the mainlanes from Centerpoint Road to the Hays/Comal County Line has been added to this project and will start in May 2021.
"This work was included in the project plans to lessen the impact for commuters," said Maloy. "This would have been a separate paving project that would disrupt traffic later on."
Project's Purpose
The existing Posey Road Bridge over I-35 was constructed in 1958. It was roughly 320 ft. in length and only accommodated one lane of traffic in each direction. The new overpass will be 300 ft. in length and will allow I-35 traffic to go over Posey Road. It will consist of three travel lanes, an auxiliary lane and a 10-foot wide shoulder in each direction.
"Ramp reversals along with extended entrance and exit lanes between Center Point Road and York Creek Road will reduce merging conflicts, and one-way frontage roads will not only improve traffic flow but reduce the chances of head-on collisions," said Brad Wheelis, a TxDOT public information officer of the Austin District. "The goal of the project is to improve safety and mobility,"
The new bridge will improve access to major commercial developments in the area, as well as improve safety and mobility measures for local and through traffic.
"Another added benefit of this project is that we eliminated a bridge that did not meet our vertical clearance criteria and required some oversize/overweight traffic to use alternate routes." said Epi Gonzalez, South Travis area engineer of TxDOT Austin District.
TxDOT is funding the construction, with project development funding provided by a Hays County/TxDOT Partnership Program and Hays County. CEG
Irwin Rapoport
A journalist who started his career at a weekly community newspaper, Irwin Rapoport has written about construction and architecture for more than 15 years, as well as a variety of other subjects, such as recycling, environmental issues, business supply chains, property development, pulp and paper, agriculture, solar power and energy, and education. Getting the story right and illustrating the hard work and professionalism that goes into completing road, bridge, and building projects is important to him. A key element of his construction articles is to provide readers with an opportunity to see how general contractors and departments of transportation complete their projects and address challenges so that lessons learned can be shared with a wider audience.
Rapoport has a BA in History and a Minor in Political Science from Concordia University. His hobbies include hiking, birding, cycling, reading, going to concerts and plays, hanging out with friends and family, and architecture. He is keen to one day write an MA thesis on military and economic planning by the Great Powers prior to the start of the First World War.
Read more from Irwin Rapoport here.
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