Work Proceeds On My35 Waco South Project

Progress on the $250 million My35 Waco South project is moving swiftly. TxDOT's final phase involves upgrading 3 miles of I-35, constructing a DDI at I-35 and Valley Mills Drive and widening lanes. James Construction Group is hard at work, using specialized equipment and multiple subcontractors for demolition and reconstruction efforts. Completion expected by early 2029.

November 25, 2025 - West Edition #24
Irwin Rapoport – CEG Correspondent

Texas Department of Transportation photo

Multiple excavators demolish the 17th Street bridge in Waco, Texas.

A Cat excavator tearing up the 18th Street bridge tangles with extensive rebar reinforcement. (Texas Department of Transportation photo)

The work zone features plenty of room for multiple excavators. (Texas Department of Transportation photo)

Much of the demolition for the My35 Waco South project occurs at night. (Texas Department of Transportation photo)

An overheard view of the work site showcases three excavators working simultaneously. (Texas Department of Transportation photo)

A graphic shows the impacted portion of Interstate 35 through Waco, Texas. (Texas Department of Transportation photo)

Crews from James Construction Group LLC report early solid progress on the Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT) $250 million My35 Waco South project.

The project winds through Waco from South Loop 340 to 12th Street and is the last of three construction projects on Interstate 35 that TxDOT's Waco District has initiated since 2015 to upgrade approximately 14 mi. through town.

Texas Department of Transportation photo

Work began on the project on Feb. 24, 2025, with completion expected in early 2029.

TxDOT's Sept. 15 news release reflected the work's quick and efficient pace.

"[TxDOT] plans to remove the northbound I-35 bridges over 17th and 18th Street in preparation for the reconstruction and widening of I-35," it stated. "To safely and efficiently complete the removal of both bridges, crews will begin work at 18th Street before moving north to 17th Street. … Additional bridge removals within the .... project limits are anticipated later this year as work progresses."

"We're ready to launch the final phase of I-35 construction through Waco, bringing vital improvements to our residents and travelers," said Stan Swiatek, a TxDOT Waco District engineer. "This project represents our commitment to a future of enhanced connectivity, reduced congestion and a safer, more efficient travel experience for our community and the region."

Final Phase

This portion of the My35 Waco South project is enhancing approximately 3 mi. of I-35 main lanes and frontage roads, including utility and drainage upgrades throughout the corridor.

Additional improvements include reconstructing and widening I-35 main lanes from six to eight lanes; connecting frontage roads where they are discontinuous; consolidating access points to the frontage roads from intersecting streets; reconstructing overpasses and frontage roads; constructing a diverging diamond intersection (DDI) at I-35 and Valley Mills Drive; and realigning ramps and adding sidewalks.

Texas Department of Transportation photo

The section of I-35 through Waco is a critical highway and, in 2024, an average of 136,098 vehicles traveled it daily. The widened section is designed to handle increased demand for many years.

"I-35 serves as a major north/south thoroughfare and is a critical roadway for delivering goods, services and people into the Waco region and across the state," said Jake Smith, a TxDOT spokesman. "The I-35 Waco South construction project is part of the larger My35 effort to improve safety and mobility along the I-35 from Laredo to Gainesville."

The project has been in the planning phase for nearly 25 years, with updated project development occurring around 2020. The 4B segment (12th Street to North Loop 340) was completed in 2022. The first segment was delivered three years earlier.

All three projects are financed by a blend of local, state and federal funding through TxDOT.

The design process for My35 Waco South was thorough, Smith said.

"The bridge structures are designed for a 75-year lifespan," he said. "All materials used for this project are new. Recycled concrete paving from demolition is being utilized as MSE wall backfill."

Quick Pace

James Construction Group crews are rapidly pressing forward.

"Work occurs in multiple locations to maintain flexibility and steady progress based on a 24/7 schedule," Smith said.

Texas Department of Transportation photo

TxDOT has noted that noise and vibrations will occur throughout the construction. Onsite water trucks and sweepers are being used throughout the work zones to minimize dust in the air, and extensive lighting is necessary to keep crews and motorists safe.

James Construction Group secured its contract in November 2024. To date, it has completed 17 percent of the project. Over the next year, efforts will focus on large portions of the northbound I-35 main lanes and northbound frontage roads, weather and other factors permitting.

The I-35 main lanes being widened and reconstructed are based on a continuously reinforced concrete paving (CRCP) system with a closed drainage system.

The new lanes include shoulders. Multiple crews are engaged for excavation, site prep and the pouring of concrete. A similar process is occurring for the reconstruction of the existing lanes, with debris removed rapidly.

Equipment-wise, operators are using a full range of heavy construction equipment, including Cat tracked excavators (336s, 340s and 352s), Cat 140M motor graders, Cat D2, D5 and D6 dozers and CAT 938 and 950 wheeled loaders.

Demolition Considerations

The ongoing demolition of the 17th and 18th street bridges requires significant coordination, especially for night operations that are well lit.

Texas Department of Transportation photo

Working in tandem, large Cat and Komatsu have plenty of space to take down sections of the two-lane bridge that has multiple spans. Debris from the excavation is picked up and placed in loaders the next day to be brought to a sorting site.

Crews report that the bridge demolitions demonstrate how well the old bridges were constructed. As the drill heads penetrated the concrete, large pieces of rebar were exposed.

Meantime, the connecting frontage roads and consolidating access points to the frontage roads from intersecting streets have concrete lanes, as well as the overpasses that are being reconstructed.

The construction of the DDI at I-35 and Valley Mills Drive is scheduled for later in the project.

Typical days feature a significant number of James Construction Group and subcontractor personnel on site working multiple shifts.

Multiple subcontractors are engaged in the project including Big Creek Construction (asphalt paving), Beaird Drilling (drill shafts), AncorTex (soil nail and temporary shoring), THM (barricades/permanent pavement markings), North Texas (water/sewer utilities), Road Solutions (electrical), WIMS Environmental (SWPPP/seeding) and Bear Creek Construction (box culverts)

Other include North Texas Contracting Inc., J.R. (Joe) Ramon & Sons Inc., Antigo Construction Inc., Traffic Highway Maintenance LLC, WIMS Environmental Construction Ltd., Fortson Contracting Inc., Road Solutions LLC, Hermanos Steel LLC, Gordillo Trucking Inc., Skaggs Road Boring Inc.; All-Tex Utilities LLC, Texas Cutting & Coring LP, Circle H Boring LLC, Primate Construction LP, Dallas Lite and Barricade Inc., South Texas Painting, Southwest Road and Safety Contractors Ltd., Farr Foundation Inc., K&B Rebar & Post-Tension LLC and Ancortex Inc.

The amounts of materials generated by excavation and demolition activities, as well as new materials to be brought in, are still unknown, as the project is still at an early stage.

"Concrete removed during demolition is being recycled for use as wall backfill and pipe bedding," Smith said.

James Construction Group owns a large fleet, which contains a fair amount of Cat equipment. It said it invests significant resources to ensure that its vehicles are well-maintained both at the shop and in the field.

The firm also maintains relationships with several local dealerships to buy and rent equipment. CEG

Irwin Rapoport

A journalist who started his career at a weekly community newspaper, Irwin Rapoport has written about construction and architecture for more than 15 years, as well as a variety of other subjects, such as recycling, environmental issues, business supply chains, property development, pulp and paper, agriculture, solar power and energy, and education. Getting the story right and illustrating the hard work and professionalism that goes into completing road, bridge, and building projects is important to him. A key element of his construction articles is to provide readers with an opportunity to see how general contractors and departments of transportation complete their projects and address challenges so that lessons learned can be shared with a wider audience.

Rapoport has a BA in History and a Minor in Political Science from Concordia University. His hobbies include hiking, birding, cycling, reading, going to concerts and plays, hanging out with friends and family, and architecture. He is keen to one day write an MA thesis on military and economic planning by the Great Powers prior to the start of the First World War.