The Texas Transportation Commission recently made a decision to conditionally select Lone Star Constructors—a partnership between Fluor Heavy Civil LLC and Austin Bridge & Road LP—as the design-build contractor for the highly anticipated I-35E Phase II Project in Dallas County.
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) said in a press release that this stretch of interstate is one of the most congested areas in the state.
TxDOT will now negotiate contract terms with the selected design-build contractor with final award and execution expected later this year. The $641.6 million construction contract will rebuild and widen approximately 6.39 miles of I-35E from I-635 to the Denton County line. The conditional award also includes an optional maintenance agreement valued at $13.2 million to be implemented at TxDOT's discretion.
The Texas Transportation Commission has designated the I-35E Phase II project as part of the statewide Texas Clear Lanes initiative, a program to address the most congested areas in the state. Segments of I-35E within the project limits rank 18th, 48th and 58th on the state's 2020 list of 100 most congested roadways.
The I-35E Phase II project will reconstruct and widen the main lanes from six to eight lanes. It also reconstructs the two existing, grandfathered reversible tolled managed lanes, adds an additional frontage road lane, and improves several intersections.
"Our TxDOT team in Dallas is proud to continue progress toward delivering such an important project for the region," District Engineer Mo Bur, P.E., said in a statement. "This is a great example of how partnerships can help bring much-needed upgrades to our transportation infrastructure to enhance safety and improve mobility for travelers along I- 35E."
The I-35E Phase II project is anticipated to begin construction in 2022 and conclude in 2025. Future phases of the I-35E ultimate reconstruction project will progress as funding becomes available.
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SOURCE: Texas DOT
