Ray Pedraza, public information officer for TxDOT’s Pharr District, and Pete Alvarez, district engineer for TxDOT’s Pharr District, shared details Thursday about changes coming to the I-2/ I-69C Interchange Project. (Monitor Photo)
Drivers will soon notice a change to the I-2/ I-69 Interchange when the project begins its next phase of construction.
During a news conference Thursday, representatives from Dragados-Pulice Joint Venture and the Texas Department of Transportation shared details about those changes, which are expected to begin June 25.
“Once completed, this project obviously will be able to handle and accommodate larger traffic volumes in a more efficient way,” Pete Alvarez, district engineer for TxDOT’s Pharr District, said. “It will reduce travel times and enhance safety. At the end of the day, it will improve the overall transportation operations for this area.”
Drivers can expect changes along southbound I-69C for traffic headed west toward McAllen from Edinburg, and east toward Harlingen from Edinburg. Traffic from Edinburg to McAllen will shift from the current Direct Connector 4 to the newer, wider Direct Connector 4 and continue onto I-2 West.
In mid-July, traffic from Edinburg to Harlingen will temporarily shift from the existing Direct Connector 3 to Direct Connector 4. Traffic will be redirected to a Sugar Road turnaround before merging onto I-2 East.
“While this is going to be a traffic shift, there will be continuous movement,” Ray Pedraza, public information officer for TxDOT’s Pharr District, said. “There will be no traffic lights to stop the flow of traffic. Essentially, we’re leaving the same number of lanes open.”
The traffic shift onto Direct Connector 4 will be temporary, until the new Direct Connector 3 is ready. The shift is expected to last approximately eight months.
“There should be plenty of electronic message boards and directional signage as you approach the construction zone to alert motorists of the traffic shifts,” Pedraza said.
The total cost for the project is approximately $303 million. The project is estimated to be completed by fall 2023.
For more information and updates regarding the lane improvements visit dpjvtx.com, or follow TxDOT Pharr District social media pages on Twitter and Facebook. A project hotline is also available with information by calling (877) 494-8084.
