Temple – State Representative Dianne White Delisi announced that the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has approved an $81.7 million contract to widen IH-35 from four to six lanes along a 7.4 mile segment of the expressway south of Salado to just south of the Bell County line. Construction is planned to start around September 1, 2006, and take about three years to complete. The winning bid for the project was received from J. D. Abrams, L.P.


"Today the Texas Transportation Commission in Austin moved forward with a major project that improves the mobility and safety of those who travel on IH-35," Delisi stated. "It is a great day for both the residents of Bell County and millions of Texas drivers who depend upon IH-35."


Delisi noted that IH-35 is one of the nation's main economic arteries and keeping it moving freely has benefits that go beyond driver convenience.


"The mobility, capacity and safety of IH-35 are the key economic assets propelling the rapid growth of Central Texas. Having IH-35 continue to keep pace with the increasing demands of both Texas' and the nation's trade-based economic activities is essential," Delisi stated.


"The minimum we need is an IH-35 through Central Texas with three lanes on either side and continuous one-way frontage roads," Delisi said. "This has been my goal throughout my legislative career and we are moving towards that goal with each new construction contract."


This latest TxDOT agreement follows recent contracts to construct a major new IH-35 interchange in Temple and to relocate and expand the rest area near Salado. Both of these projects were undertaken as part of the ongoing expansion to six lanes.


Delisi notes that the upgrading of IH-35 has been a collaborative effort assisted by both her fellow Bell County elected officials and the Texas Transportation Commission.


"We have all been working on this for more than a decade and we will stay on it until it is done," Delisi said. "This is an issue where teamwork from the Bell County Commissioners Court and the mayors along the route has really helped."


Delisi also expressed her appreciation for the ongoing work on the IH-35 projects being conducted by Richard Skopik and John Obr at TxDOT's Central Texas facility.


"I have worked with Richard and John on IH-35 issues for a long time now" Delisi said. "I believe they are as eager as I am to see years of planning come to fruition. It was a lot of work for everyone involved, but the final product will be worth it."


Delisi has been active in advocating the expansion of IH-35 during her full legislative tenure. This includes service in 1999 as the founder and chairman of the IH-35 Legislative Task Force, a joint House and Senate work group made up of members whose districts were contiguous to IH-35. Delisi led the task force for two legislative sessions.


"Central Texans recognized many years ago that at least ten lanes of pavement were what we needed to have to along the entire route," Delisi concluded. "With each new IH-35 construction contract, we are getting closer to fulfilling this goal."

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