CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Drivers on I-37 southbound will begin to use the new Nueces River Bridge as of Saturday, June 10.
Contractors with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) have completed phase one of the project, a significant milestone in the work.
"Typically we try to do it at night, less traffic," said TxDOT Spokesperson Rickey Dailey.
Dailey told 3NEWS that the work taking place on the bridge is important because the highway allows everyone to safely evacuate in case of hurricanes.
"We're widening the bridges and also raising them. One of the features is that this is a hurricane evacuation route and so by raising the bridge it's less prone to flooding," he said.
To switch to the new lanes, there will be closures Saturday night beginning at 9 p.m. on I-37. The lanes and ramps will reopen by 6 a.m. Sunday, TxDOT said.
I-37 Southbound
- Two mainlanes will close from US 77 to Sharpsburg Road. One lane will remain open.
- The southbound Labonte Park exit/entrance ramps will be closed. Park visitors may use other routes.
US 77 Southbound
- Southbound US 77 to southbound I-37 direct connector will close. Drivers wanting to access southbound I-37 may use SH 234.
- Southbound US 77 to northbound I-37 direct connector will remain open
As phase two begins, drivers can expect recurring nighttime closures between Sharpsburg Road and US 77 Work in Phase 2 includes:
- Continuing construction of new I-37 southbound lanes
- Opening the new southbound Sharpsburg Road exit ramp
- Opening the new southbound Labonte Park entrance ramp
The anticipated completion date for Phase 2 is in late 2023. Periodic closures may occur Sunday through Thursday nights, between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., until further notice:
I-37 Northbound
- Alternating lane closures will occur from Sharpsburg Road to north of the northbound US 77 direct connector. Entrance/exit ramp closures will occur from Sharpsburg Road to the Nueces River bridge. Drivers may use the next open ramp to enter/exit the mainlanes.
I-37 Southbound
- Alternating lane closures will occur from the southbound US 77 direct connector to the Nueces River.
I-37/US 77 Direct Connector
- Northbound/southbound US 77 alternating lane closures may occur at I-37. Drivers are urged to slow down in the work zone and watch for workers and equipment.
The new southbound I-37 to northbound US 77 cross-street bridge is under construction. Southbound I-37 drivers wishing to access northbound US 77 may use SH 234 as a detour until the new bridge is complete.
The I-37 Nueces Bridge Reconstruction Project is an $85 million effort to rebuild approximately three miles of the interstate from just south of Redbird Lane to the US 77 interchange. The five-and-a-half-year project is expected to be completed in early 2027.