TxDOT to Shift NB Mainlane Traffic from 17th to Forrest Street to Newly Reconstructed Lanes

WACO, Texas (May 31, 2022) - The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) will begin shifting traffic this week on northbound I-35, while the City of Waco begins a construction project on the S. 17th Street bridge, which will be closed from Webster to Franklin avenues through next spring.

Upcoming I-35 Traffic Shifts

TxDOT has begun work to shift northbound mainlane traffic to the newly reconstructed lanes from 17th Street to Forrest Street north of McLane Stadium. This shift marks the second-to-last traffic shift to move the north and southbound mainlanes into their final configurations. Construction is on track to be complete in early 2023.

To prepare for this shift, crews will close/have closed the following:

• Right northbound mainlane from 17th Street to Forrest Street at 7 p.m. (today) Tuesday, May 31, to 6 a.m. Wednesday, June 1.
• Entrance ramp north of 17th Street now closed (today) Tuesday, May 31, through 6 a.m. Thursday, June 9.

Overnight Closures to Safely Shift Traffic

TxDOT plans to close alternating northbound mainlanes from 17th Street to Forrest Street from 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 1, to 6 a.m. Thursday, June 2.

The following I-35 entrance and exit ramps also will be closed from 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 1, to 6 a.m. Thursday, June 2:

• Northbound exit for 5th/4th Streets and University Parks Drive (Exit 335A)
• Northbound exit for BUS 77 (Exit 337)
• Northbound entrance ramp near University Parks Drive

Work schedules are dependent on weather, field conditions and work progress.

S. 17th Street Bridge Between Webster and Franklin

The City of Waco has begun repairing the S. 17th Street bridge, which will be completely closed from Webster Avenue to Franklin Avenue until Spring 2023. Detours will be in place to 11th Street.

Know Before You Go

Be sure to check out the Waco4B map frequently for information about I-35 traffic and lane closures. Pedestrians and bicyclists in Waco can plan their travel by visiting waco4bmap.org/#ped. Please remember to stay alert, watch for signage and use designated paths while walking or biking in Waco.

Closures in and around downtown Waco can be found on waco-texas.com/improvedowntown.