Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has selected Lone Star Constructors, a joint venture between Fluor Corporation and Austin Bridge & Road, as the design, construction and capital maintenance contractor for the Interstate 35 (I-35) Northeast Expansion (NEX) South Project in San Antonio, Texas.
When completed, the I-35 NEX South Project is expected to significantly improve one of the busiest corridors in Texas, which is currently used by more than 140,000 vehicles per day.
I-35 NEX South - Project & Contract Summary
Key Aspects | Details |
Joint Venture | Lone Star Contractors (LSC) – Fluor Corporation (50%) and Austin Bridge & Road (50%) |
Client | Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) |
Contract Value | Circa $1.4B USD ($700M Fluor; $700M Austin Bridge & Road) |
Contract Execution | 2023 |
Construction Period | 2024-2028 (expected) |
Maintenance Period | 5 years after completion (with optionality for two additional 5-year term extensions) |
Contract Style | Design Build Contract (DBC) Capital Maintenance Contract (CMC) |
Contract Scope | Design, construction and maintenance of approximately four miles of elevated lanes with corresponding interchanges and transitions at each end of the project |
Lead Engineering Firm | AECOM Technical Services, Inc. (AECOM) |
Lead Independent Quality Firm | Atlas Technical Consultants, LLC (Atlas) |
Other JV Team Members | ACI Group, LLC Cobb Fendley & Associates, Inc. Aguirre & Fields LP Rios Engineering, LLC SE3, LLC The Transtec Group, Inc. HVJ South Central Texas – M&J, Inc. Maestas & Associates, LL |
I-35 NEX Project - Details
I-35 NEX - Project Background
Interstate 35 (I-35) plays a crucial role as a major gateway in the San Antonio area, facilitating transportation and connectivity. However, with the continuous growth of San Antonio, congestion along I-35 has become a pressing concern.
To address this issue and ensure smoother traffic flow, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has proposed a comprehensive improvement plan for I-35 northeast of downtown, which includes:
- Adding managed lanes within the existing right-of-way to optimize traffic management and efficiency.
- Enhancing interchanges at Loop 1604, I-410 North, and I-410 South to accommodate the additional lanes and better meet the demands of a growing number of motorists.
I-35 NEX - Phases and Status (North, South, and Central)
The I-35 Northeast Expansion (NEX) project has been strategically divided into three separate construction phases to ensure efficient execution and align with the available funding. Below you can find a summary of the 3 phases and their status:
Construction Phase | Status |
I-35 NEX Central | Construction commenced in 2022 Planned completion in 2027 |
I-35 NEX South (*This package) | Contract awarded in 2023 Construction to start in 2024 Planned Completion in 2028 |
I-35 NEX North | Timelines to be confirmed. |
I-35 NEX South Project - Detailed Scope
The scope of works includes a design and build contract (DBC) and a 5-year capital maintenance agreement (CMC), which include time-extension options embedded.
Key elements of the DBC are:
- The design and construction of three new elevated express lanes along I-35 in each direction, two non-tolled general purpose lanes and one non-tolled high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane.
- Addition of direct connectors at I-410 South
Key Elements of the CMC are:
- A five-year road maintenance capital maintenance contract with the provision for two additional 5-year term extensions.
- These extension options offer the flexibility to address any evolving transportation needs and ensure the sustained efficiency and reliability of the infrastructure over the long term.
- Lone Star Contractors will consider capital maintenance beginning at the design phase to reduce long-term maintenance costs and minimize impacts during the Project’s life cycle.
