Beginning June 14, a project went under way to repair the FM 3176 Bridge that was damaged and declared unstable back in March after being struck by an oversized load. To help move along repairs, the project also involves construction of a detour lane and closing of a southbound entrance ramp behind Triple C Steakhouse.
“This project will construct a one-lane detour lane for southbound IH 35 traffic under the FM 3176 north abutment,” TxDot Project Engineer Jules Zinsmeyer said. “Once IH 35 southbound main lane traffic is detoured to this newly constructed lane, work will begin on the bridge structure.”
The IH 35 detour is planned to begin July 4th and will last approximately 3 weeks.
“During this time, and intermittently throughout the project, the IH 35 entrance ramp from SH 173 will be closed,” Zinsmeyer said. “Traffic will travel north on SH 173 to SH132, south on SH132 to IH 35 frontage road, and enter southbound IH 35.”
This means all traffic trying to get on to the southbound IH 35 will have to travel through Devine and down S. Teel Street during this project’s duration. The entire project is anticipated to be completed in mid-august. At that time IH 35 southbound traffic, the entrance ramp from SH 173, and FM 3176 should all be opened again.
By Noah Davila