The Texas Department of Transpor-tation held a public meeting Aug. 23 on proposed improvements along Interstate 35 from Rittiman Road to Farm Road 78.

TxDoT representatives met with area residents and officials at the Windcrest Civic Center on a proposal that includes improving four separate intersection areas along the I-35 southbound frontage road: a turnaround at I-35 southbound to I-35 northbound at Rittiman Road; and right-turn lanes on the 35 southbound frontage road are proposed at Petroleum, George Beach, and Binz-Engleman Road.

In conjunction with a Union Pacific Railroad railroad bridge replacement project, the 35 northbound frontage road/Loop 410 roadway would be widened just south of Binz-Engleman.

Union Pacific is improving 8,000 linear feet of rail line to accommodate a double-track train. As a result, TxDoT is proposing to improve the roadway underneath the tracks. TxDoT also proposes to widen the road underneath the railroad overpass from two lanes to four lanes and to improve vertical clearance.

UP and TxDoT are coordinating this project. South of Binz-Engleman, approximately 0.197 acres of right-of-way would be acquired from one industrial property to accommodate additional lanes. The proposed improvements are to enhance mobility under the railroad overpass and to improve traffic flow on the northbound and southbound frontage roads of 35.

Approximately 200 feet of the existing roadway elevation south of FM 78 would be lowered in order to tie in to the proposed roadway, which would consist of 700 feet of reconstruction on 78.

The $3.4 million project will begin in early 2008 after UP begins the bridge replacement project, which is scheduled to start this November.