I-14 in Texas

[MaxConcrete]

See page 1 of the consultant solicitation for schematic/environmental work (also copied below)
https://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot/ppd/meetings/021522/procurement-plan.pdf

The alignment using Loop 363 in Temple is the selected option. While this alignment is less efficient from the east-west travel perspective, it probably serves local needs better than a more direct route. The project details says an extra lane in each direction is planned for I-35 on the multiplex section.
http://dallasfreeways.com/dfwfreeways/AARoads/202202-i14-temple.png

[CoolAngrybirdsrio4]

I have initially thought that I-14 would be extended along US 190 myself, but I agree with the fact there are more direct alignments. If the southern Temple bypass were to go through, would it be signed as I-x35, I-x14, or maybe remain or upgrade to a state route?

[bwana39]

The alignment using Loop 363 in Temple is the selected option. While this alignment is less efficient from the east-west travel perspective, it probably serves local needs better than a more direct route. The project details says an extra lane in each direction is planned for I-35 on the multiplex section.

I wrote more but somehow it was deleted. The bottom line is the this whole project excepting the extra lane from Temple to Belton is just taking divided highway that is already mostly intact and converting to to fully controlled access. Not free but probably less expensive than greenfield construction.

[mvak36]

The alignment using Loop 363 in Temple is the selected option. While this alignment is less efficient from the east-west travel perspective, it probably serves local needs better than a more direct route. The project details says an extra lane in each direction is planned for I-35 on the multiplex section.

I wrote more but somehow it was deleted. The bottom line is the this whole project excepting the extra lane from Temple to Belton is just taking divided highway that is already mostly intact and converting to to fully controlled access. Not free but probably less expensive than greenfield construction.

And will probably get built faster than having to do environmental studies, ROW, etc., It doesn't look like there's a good route to go directly east anyways since there's already development there.

[jbnv]

I endorse this. I've passed through this area several times and used both the proposed I-14 route and FM 93 (the yellow line just south of the I-14 route). There's just not a good way to force I-14 through there without making use of the existing corridor.

[Bobby5280]

That modest upgrade is going to cost $350 million? The price would kind of make sense if the I-35/Loop-363 interchange was turned into a full directional stack. It looks like they're only going to build one pair of flyover ramps, leaving the other 6 movements to use the frontage road "volleyball."

[longhorn]

Interesting, I thought for sure they would bypass Temple but I guess not. So will I-35 be rebuilt from Belton I-14 interchange to Loop 360? I-35 is paved now between those two points, and it would be easy to just add a lane to the outside or take away the inside shoulder. Or will it be rebuilt with concrete like the rest of I-35 from Salado to Hillsboro? They might want to add a lane to Loop360/ I-14 in Temple while they are add it.

[jbnv]

I-35 is paved now between those two points

What part of I-35 isn't paved? 

[Bobby5280]

TX DOT seems pretty big on using asphalt on Interstate projects lately.

[longhorn]

I-35 rebuild has been and is being done with concrete.

Georgetown to San Antonio is pavement. The short stretch between Temple and Belton is pavement.

[NE2]

What part of I-35 isn't paved? 

The main lanes from Hidalgo Street north to Washington Street in Laredo.

[The Ghostbuster]

But that portion isn't part of Interstate 35 nor is it even a freeway. However, I dislike the fact that they terminated Interstate 35 at Victoria St. and didn't continue it the final four blocks to the border crossing plaza.

[bwana39]

TX DOT seems pretty big on using asphalt on Interstate projects lately.

I-35 rebuild has been and is being done with concrete.

Georgetown to San Antonio is pavement. The short stretch between Temple and Belton is pavement.

They are almost always concrete. The asphalt is just the driving surface. They almost all begin with concrete as the driving surface. Then, a few year down the line, they are resurfaced with asphalt. There is still concrete under.

[Bobby5280]

The I-820 and I-35W expansion projects in Fort Worth sure didn't look like any kind of concrete base slab went down under that asphalt.

[bwana39]

The I-820 and I-35W expansion projects in Fort Worth sure didn't look like any kind of concrete base slab went down under that asphalt.

I said usually. There are exceptions.

Packed clay, asphalt seal layer (thin), concrete base, and then the driving surface. Sometimes there are layers of sand and caliche as well.

As an aside there are are temporary lanes that meet  totally different standards than the permanent ones. Some of the temporary ones are planned for years of use while the project slogs along.

[In_Correct]

So does that mean they are going to start adding pavement to Bridges next ??

[yakra]

Adding Bridges to Pavement.
Jeff's joining the band.

[texaskdog]

Well, that, and if you're a political leader in Houston or Austin, you've got a lot of stuff on your plate. The mayor of San Angelo probably has nothing better to do but try and bug members of Congress to build an Interstate through their town.

At least in Austin, they've got Franklin's brisket on their plates as well!  Seriously, that's a damn good point -- considering Houston planners are probably reeling from the Fed rejection of the I-45 reroute, and their Austin counterparts are simply dealing with the I-35 situation (cap? reroute? it's all too confusing!!!) as well as ever-increasing congestion in general.   The San Angelo mayor is probably on the phone to his Midland and/or Odessa colleagues on a regular basis trying to nail down both I-14 and the P2P -- just so somewhere down the line he can have a few of the problems plaguing Austin right now!

We were gonna do Franklin's but they took vacation the week we were down there. Decided on Schoepf's in Belton instead

Not worth waiting 3 hours for when there are equally good options.

[longhorn]

TX DOT seems pretty big on using asphalt on Interstate projects lately.

I-35 rebuild has been and is being done with concrete.

Georgetown to San Antonio is pavement. The short stretch between Temple and Belton is pavement.

They are almost always concrete. The asphalt is just the driving surface. They almost all begin with concrete as the driving surface. Then, a few year down the line, they are resurfaced with asphalt. There is still concrete under.

I have seen that in certain areas, but not in this case. The stretch original configuration dates back to the mid 70s..........................Dang I am old.

[The Ghostbuster]

Jeff Bridges joining Pavement? Har Har.

[longhorn]

Well, that, and if you're a political leader in Houston or Austin, you've got a lot of stuff on your plate. The mayor of San Angelo probably has nothing better to do but try and bug members of Congress to build an Interstate through their town.

At least in Austin, they've got Franklin's brisket on their plates as well!  Seriously, that's a damn good point -- considering Houston planners are probably reeling from the Fed rejection of the I-45 reroute, and their Austin counterparts are simply dealing with the I-35 situation (cap? reroute? it's all too confusing!!!) as well as ever-increasing congestion in general.   The San Angelo mayor is probably on the phone to his Midland and/or Odessa colleagues on a regular basis trying to nail down both I-14 and the P2P -- just so somewhere down the line he can have a few of the problems plaguing Austin right now!

We were gonna do Franklin's but they took vacation the week we were down there. Decided on Schoepf's in Belton instead

Not worth waiting 3 hours for when there are equally good options.

Schoepfs is a little pricey but good. Made the Texas Monthly lists some years ago as the one the best BBQ places in Texas.

[dariusb]

What part of I-35 isn't paved? 

The main lanes from Hidalgo Street north to Washington Street in Laredo.

Isn't that crazy? You'd think with all of the money being spent on road projects across the state, you'd think that would've been taken care of long ago.

[bwana39]

So does that mean they are going to start adding pavement to Bridges next ??

Actually for years they did put asphalt on the bridges. They have since stopped and as a whole are milling it off of the ones that have it on them. It causes water to saturate the concrete and degrade the rebar.

[CoolAngrybirdsrio4]

That modest upgrade is going to cost $350 million? The price would kind of make sense if the I-35/Loop-363 interchange was turned into a full directional stack. It looks like they're only going to build one pair of flyover ramps, leaving the other 6 movements to use the frontage road "volleyball."

What else could be in that project that I am unaware of?

[ethanhopkin14]

Well, that, and if you're a political leader in Houston or Austin, you've got a lot of stuff on your plate. The mayor of San Angelo probably has nothing better to do but try and bug members of Congress to build an Interstate through their town.

At least in Austin, they've got Franklin's brisket on their plates as well!  Seriously, that's a damn good point -- considering Houston planners are probably reeling from the Fed rejection of the I-45 reroute, and their Austin counterparts are simply dealing with the I-35 situation (cap? reroute? it's all too confusing!!!) as well as ever-increasing congestion in general.   The San Angelo mayor is probably on the phone to his Midland and/or Odessa colleagues on a regular basis trying to nail down both I-14 and the P2P -- just so somewhere down the line he can have a few of the problems plaguing Austin right now!

We were gonna do Franklin's but they took vacation the week we were down there. Decided on Schoepf's in Belton instead

Not worth waiting 3 hours for when there are equally good options.

Better options.  Franklin's is a stupid fad.  You stand in that line to be seen.  Like going to the Hollywood In-N-Out.