Entrance lane to South Loop 289 closed on westbound frontage road west of University Avenue.
Since October 2, driving on the South Loop or streets below it hasn’t been fun – especially during the morning rush.
Traffic was reduced to one lane in each direction at the overpass – an arrangement scheduled to last four to six weeks as part of a $1.7 million maintenance project.
Crews tear up the concrete to replace bridge joints, then replace the concrete.
It’s the first of ten area bridge maintenance projects to be done by December of next year, more on that below.
Meanwhile, back to the Loop and Indiana.
“Additional closures include the eastbound on-ramp between Quaker and Indiana Avenues and the westbound on-ramp between University and Indiana Avenues,” TxDOT, the Texas Department of Transportation, said in a written statement.
LubbockLights.com asked why:
- Cut traffic to one lane?
- Both directions at the same time?
- Four to six weeks?
Down to one lane
TxDOT spokesperson Dianah Ascencio addressed our questions – starting with the need to shut down two out of three lanes in each direction.
“The crews are focusing their efforts on two out of the three lanes to complete the work quicker. If work were to take place on just one lane at a time, the project would be divided into three phases instead of two phases,” she said.
It would take longer and create another headache.
The lane lines leading up to the bridge would have to be removed and replaced to line up with the concrete traffic barriers, which would add more time, Ascencio said.
“The conflict would require the removal and placement of work zone pavement markings, adding even more time to the project,” she said.
Doing it this way – leaving only one lane open in each direction – is better.
“It not only makes the process more efficient, it also cuts the overall duration of the project by nearly half,” Ascensio said.
Both directions at the same time
TxDOT’s contractor, ICOS Management of Frisco, works on both directions to save time, she added
The contractor can pour concrete on one side while waiting for concrete to cure on the other side.
“This approach allows us to maximize productivity and reduce overall project duration,” Ascencio said.
Four to six weeks
“One phase of work typically requires 2-3 weeks,” Acencio said.
In the first couple weeks, crews tear out the worn-out concrete along two lanes of the overpass while people continue to drive on one lane.
Once that’s done, people drive on the newly replaced section. That still leaves the remaining lane and shoulder that will get removed and replaced.
“The contractor is working six days per week and additional hours to expedite the project and try to finish sooner than the 4-6 week timetable,” she said.
There’s more to come.
“Ten area bridges located along US 84, Loop 289, US 62, US 82 and I-27 are included in the project. Repair at each bridge location is expected to take approximately 4-6 weeks to complete; weather permitting,” Acencio said.
These ten bridges should be done by December of next year, TxDOT said.
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