REMINDER: Northbound traffic shift happens tonight (Thursday, July 17) at 7 p.m.

UPDATE: The Texas Department of Transportation will begin shifting all northbound traffic to the southside of I-35 from 12th Street to S. Loop 340 on Thursday, July 17, 2025, at 7 p.m. as part of the My35 Waco South Construction Project. Various lane and ramp closures within the project limits will occur during this time. The shift is expected to be complete and roadways reopened by 10 a.m. Friday, July 18. The S. Loop 340 to northbound I-35 direct connect will remain open for all travelers until Thursday, July 17. 

At 7 p.m. Saturday, July 12, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) will begin shifting all northbound traffic to the southbound side of I-35 from 12th Street near the Baylor University campus to South Loop 340, as part of the four-year My35 Waco South Construction Project to widen and fully reconstruct this three-mile stretch of I-35 in Waco:

• Various lane and ramp closures within the project limits will occur during this time.
• The shift is expected to be complete and roadways reopened by 10 a.m. Sunday, July 13.

Here’s what you need to know about preparations for the shift:

Friday, July 11, 2025 

CLOSING 8 A.M. FRIDAY:

The entrance ramp to S. Loop 340 south of Bagby Avenue and the left lane on S. Loop 340 will close at 8 a.m. Friday. Expect temporary lane shifts and reduced speeds in the area.

CLOSING AT 7 P.M. FRIDAY:

The S. Loop 340 to northbound I-35 direct connect will close at 7 p.m. Friday and remain closed until further notice. 

This shift will close some exits and direct connects:

Once traffic is shifted, the following northbound ramp closures will remain in place for approximately two years as the northbound mainlanes are reconstructed: 

CLOSED – Loop 340 direct connect to northbound I-35 

• Drivers will be directed to exit at I-35 South just east of Bagby Avenue and use the cloverleaf to access northbound I-35.

CLOSED – Northbound I-35 exits to New Road (Exit 331) and to Valley Mills Drive/La Salle Avenue (Exit 333A)

• Drivers will be directed to exit at S Loop 340/Marlin (Exit 330A).

CLOSED – Northbound I-35 exit for 17th/18th Streets (Exit 334A)

• Drivers will be directed to exit at 24th – 19th Streets (Exit 333B).

CLOSED – Eastbound S. Valley Mills Drive direct connect to northbound I-35

Reminder, speed limits are reduced to 55 mph in the work zones. TxDOT encourages motorists to mind their speed, eliminate all distractions and always pay attention.

Plan Ahead and Stay Informed

Learn more and stay up to date by visiting My35WacoSouth.com, where you also can sign up for My35 email alerts.

Follow TxDOT Waco District on Facebook and X (Twitter) @TxDOTWaco for the most current updates on construction activities and lane closures.

About the My35 Waco South Project

The My35 Waco South project will upgrade approximately three miles of I-35 mainlanes and frontage roads from South Loop 340 to 12th Street near the Baylor campus. Utility and drainage upgrades will be made along the corridor, and other improvements include:

• Reconstructing and widening mainlanes from six lanes to eight lanes (four lanes in each direction).
• Reconstructing overpasses and frontage roads, extending frontage roads where discontinuous, re-aligning ramps and adding sidewalks.
• Updating access roads and access points from local streets, on-and-off ramp configuration and placement, build new bridges and improve traffic control.
• Construct an innovative Diverging Diamond Intersection at I-35 and Valley Mills Drive.
• Realign ramps and add sidewalks.