TxDOT Southern Gateway

Client: Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)

Location: Dallas, TX, U.S.

Map showing the location of TxDOT Southern Gateway

Executive Summary

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) selected the Fluor joint venture Pegasus Link Constructors (PLC) as the design-build and capital maintenance team for the Southern Gateway reconstruction and improvement project.

The 11-mile project, located along I-35E and U.S. 67 in Dallas, expanded I-35E, rebuilt the I-35E/U.S. 67 interchange and widened U.S. 67 from I-35E to I-20.

Client's Challenge

I-35E, south of downtown Dallas, was the 17th most congested roadway segment in Texas, according to the Texas A&M Transportation Institute. The Southern Gateway project aimed to reduce highway congestion, improving traffic flow for 180,000 motorists per day. The project would also enhance safety, adding shoulders and improving entrance and exit ramp movements. Bicycle and pedestrian accommodations were also proposed.

A major source of funding for the Southern Gateway came from TxDOT's Texas Clear Lanes initiative, a program prioritizing voter-approved funding for congestion relief projects in Texas' metropolitan areas.

Fluor's Solution

PLC, a Fluor and Balfour Beatty Infrastructure joint venture, provided design-build and maintenance services for the Southern Gateway project. PLC was at the time performing work for the TxDOT's Horseshoe project along the I-30 and I-35E corridor in Dallas.

PLC expanded I-35E from four to five lanes in each direction and built two reversible, non-toll express lanes in the center of the corridor. U.S. 67 would widen from two to three lanes in each direction from I-35E to I‑20.

Conclusion

Fluor, as part of a joint venture, was awarded a design-build contract for the Southern Gateway project in Dallas, a rebuild and expansion of I-35E and U.S. 67 to reduce traffic congestion. The Southern Gateway project broke ground in February 2018 and was completed in 2022.