Volkert’s Texas team will serve as the prime consultant for the $400 million northern portion of this $7.5 billion capital improvement TxDOT project.
With over 200,000 daily motorists, the I-35 corridor that runs through Texas’ state capital has become a chokepoint for residents, freight trucks, and travelers. To help reduce the congestion, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has developed a fully-funded $7.5 billion I-35 Capital Express Program that consists of three sectioned projects—North, Central, and South.
Volkert was selected as the prime design consultant for the $400 million Capital Express North project.
“We are honored to be working on this critical infrastructure improvement plan, which will benefit local, state, and national mobility,” says Randy Redmond, senior vice president of Volkert’s Texas region. “Improving the main artery through the city allows for continued growth, and we are proud the be part of the team that will make that happen.”
The Capital Express North project begins at SH 45 North and ends at US 290 East. The project will improve operational efficiency by adding one managed lane in each direction on I-35, relocating ramps, adding capacity to the frontage roads, and adding a shared-use path. Managed lanes are proposed in high-congestion areas where right of way is limited. These lanes are designed to provide a less congested route than adjacent general-purpose lanes during peak periods for qualifying vehicles. Managed lanes control access by placing restrictions on use, such as the number of passengers and types of vehicles.
The project includes the engineering design of the frontage road widening and reconstruction, as well as the intersections and bridges within the project limits. The Wells Branch Parkway interchange will be converted into a diverging diamond interchange (DDI) and the new shared-use path will improve bicycle and pedestrian accommodations along I-35 frontage roads and at east/west crossings.
“The fact that this megaproject is already funded is a testament to its importance to the state of Texas,” says Travis Falls, Volkert’s project manager. “Delivering the project will be just as important. We are excited to partner with TxDOT and the City of Austin to move the project from concept to construction.”
If you would like to know more about the Capital Express North project or job opportunities with Volkert, please contact Travis Falls at travis.falls@volkert.com.
Photo courtesy of Community Impact Newspaper