UPDATE: 4:11 PM - TxDot's Jodi Wheatley issued the following update on the situation in Bruceville-Eddy Friday afternoon:

Just got word that the crew has begun pouring the final layer of asphalt, and hope it will be finished cooling/curing about 6 PM.

 

Until then PLEASE continue to use alternate routes until we send the word that the mainlanes are re-opened. And be prepared for it to take quite some time for the mainlanes to clear completely once the lanes are open.

 

Currently traffic is backed up all the way through Lorena and there will be a lot of vehicles that need to clear out.

 

We are still recommending that drivers take exit 328 and follow FM 2113 south to Moody, then right on FM 107 to FM 317 and turn south (left) to get to the Temple/Belton area.

 

I apologize to all those who have called and complained about being stuck on the mainlanes. We are doing our best to complete the work as quickly as possible, but we are committed to doing it so that you will remain safe on the road when the lanes re-open.

 

PLEASE DRIVE CAREFULLY AND SLOW DOWN IF IT STARTS TO RAIN AGAIN.


 

TxDOT closed southbound lanes of Interstate 35 through Bruceville-Eddy Friday morning due to the impact of recent wet weather on construction zones.

The agency's I-35 information officer, Jodi Wheatley, issued the following media advisory shortly before 11 AM:

FRIDAY 2.23.18 10:46 AM

 

EMERGENCY I-35 Southbound Mainlane FULL CLOSURE in Bruceville-Eddy

 

Due to the extended inclement weather, with repeated rain and very cold temperatures, a section of old pavement in the work zone is failing and a significant area is breaking up, with large holes forming.

 

We are instituting a full emergency closure of the southbound mainlanes from the area of the new N. Eddy crossing down to FM 107/SH 7 in Bruceville-Eddy. We will begin the repairs as quickly as possible, but we currently expect it will take at least 6-8 hours to be able to open the mainlanes again.

 

Traffic will be detoured to the access road through Bruceville-Eddy until we can set up a longer emergency detour and get traffic moved onto it. (Location/route of detour being decided now.)

 

ALTERNATE ROUTES ARE STRONGLY ADVISED UNTIL REPAIRS ARE COMPLETED AND THE MAINLANES HAVE BEEN RE-OPENED.

If you planned to head south on I-35 through Bruceville-Eddy, your best bet getting back to the Temple-Killeen area is going to be taking State Highway 317.

 

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