Dec. 2006

(Kyle, TX) - Zachry Construction Corporation has substantially completed a Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) highway project meant to alleviate increasing traffic in the Kyle-Buda area on and around Interstate Highway 35. ZCC crews demolished a twolane bridge over I-35 at exit 215 and constructed Kyle Parkway, a new five-lane bridge to replace it. The crews also built a three-mile extension connecting the new bridge with F.M. 1626 to the west.

The new extension includes two new bridges that span the Union Pacific railroad. The project also called for a new, lengthened off ramp as well as the extension, widening and rebuilding of access roads adjacent to the new Kyle Parkway bridge.

“This new construction will relieve a lot of the traffic woes that we are seeing in Hays County,” said Project Manager Doug Hutzler. “As the population began to grow, so did the traffic. We have added additional lanes, and now drivers have access to the interstate without having to go through the city because of the new extension to F.M. 1626.”

TxDOT requested many change orders, including widening and lengthening access roads and adding drainage, curbs and gutters, intersections, driveways, concrete enhancements and other elements to make way for development along F.M. 1626. But Hutzler’s team completed the job as quickly and safely as possible.

During construction, ZCC used 83,000 cubic yards of flexbase, laid 81,000 tons of asphalt and embanked 500,000 cubic yards of dirt for the extension and access road upgrades. The new section of F.M. 1626 was opened to traffic in a ribbon cutting ceremony by the City of Kyle on June 15.

Hutzler said all traffic in the area, including the school buses which started rolling in August, will feel the positive impact of the road project. “Zachry was a great fit for this job because we were able to work well with the local land developers and the City of Kyle,” Hutzler said. “It’s rewarding to me to see the completion of a road that is for the betterment of the community and that will shorten the commute time to Austin or wherever drivers along I-35 are going.”

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