# I-35 Northeast Expansion Central Project Steams Ahead

- **Published:** 2026-08-18
- **Edition:** West
- **Source:** Construction Equipment Guide
- **Authors:** Irwin Rapoport – CEG Correspondent
- **URL:** https://www.constructionequipmentguide.com/i35-northeast-expansion-central-project-steams-ahead/72032
- **Tags:** Ferrovial Construction, Infrastructure, TEXAS, Texas Department of Transportation, Webber LLC

## Summary
Alamo NEX Construction LLC, a joint venture of Ferrovial Construction and Webber LLC, is planning to complete TxDOT's $1.5 billion Interstate 35 Northeast Expansion Central Project next year.

## Article

Alamo NEX Construction LLC, a joint venture of Ferrovial Construction and Webber LLC, is approximately a year away from completing the Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT) $1.5 billion Interstate 35 Northeast Expansion Central Project in the San Antonio area.

![](https://dmt55mxnkgbz2.cloudfront.net/900x0_s3-72032-W-TX-157_26-IR-6.jpg)

Ferrovial Webber photo

The design-build project, part of the Texas Clear Lanes Initiative, began in June 2022 and covers 9.5 mi. of I-35 from Interstate 410 N to Farm-to-Market 3009 through northeast San Antonio, Live Oak, Selma and Schertz in Bexar and Guadalupe counties.

Construction Equipment Guide first reported on the megaproject in February 2024. Since then, construction has advanced steadily, with crews recently placing their 4,000th girder. About 85 percent of the project's precast elements also are complete, while 84 percent of the elevated structures constructed.

The project includes elevated managed lanes between the existing main lanes and frontage roads, eight bridges and reconstruction and widening of the Loop 1604 general-purpose lanes and bridges. The elevated I-35 lanes will provide direct connections to I-410 North and Loop 1604 West.

"The project scope of work consists of construction of elevated managed lanes between the existing main lanes and frontage roads and eight bridges and the reconstruction and widening of the Loop 1604 general purpose lanes and bridges," Ferrovial said in a statement. "It includes more than 800 spans of bridge construction, 4,500 concrete beams, 31 million pounds of steel girders and 6 million square feet of bridge decks."

## Bridge Work Drives Construction

The first two years of the project were focused largely on establishing the foundations needed for the elevated structures and opening work areas for bridge construction.

"Most of the substructures and/or foundational work and the elevated lane structures were dealt with," Felix Martin, CEO project director for Alamo NEX Construction told Construction Equipment Guide. "For the first two years, the focus was to begin opening up work areas for the bridge work to begin. Most of the activities were related to the bridge foundations followed by the column construction."

![](https://dmt55mxnkgbz2.cloudfront.net/900x0_s3-72032-W-TX-157_26-IR-3_jpeg.jpg)

Ferrovial Webber photo

Since early 2024, crews have shifted heavily into structural construction, including steel and concrete girder installation, precast cap and panel placement and concrete column construction.

Approximately 11 mi. of elevated structures are being built on northbound and southbound I-35 between the existing main lanes and frontage roads. The work includes the major interchanges at Loop 1604 and I-410.

"These are major connection points in the region for local and commuter traffic," Santiago Rubi, a segment manager of Alamo NEX Construction, told Construction Equipment Guide.

The elevated structures vary in height along the corridor, with the tallest sections located at the major interchanges. They average approximately 54 ft. in width to accommodate two general-purpose lanes, high-occupancy vehicle lanes and shoulders.

The structures incorporate concrete, asphalt, rebar and other conventional highway construction materials. Some concrete elements are cast in place, while other components are precast and transported to the site. Shafts have been drilled for the elevated structures and various utility relocations.

The eight direct connectors at the two major interchanges incorporate both concrete and steel girders. The elevated lanes will have concrete riding surfaces.

The project also includes approximately 5.5 mi. of main-line work, primarily consisting of mill-and-overlay improvements to existing general-purpose lanes. The main lanes are being widened in areas where they approach and depart from the elevated lanes.

Frontage roads also are being constructed or reconstructed, with a combination of asphalt and concrete pavement.

"Some frontage roads are shifting and being reconstructed in order to make room for the elevated structures," Rubi said.

## Extensive Structural Scope

![](https://dmt55mxnkgbz2.cloudfront.net/900x0_s3-72032-W-TX-157_26-IR-5_jpeg.jpg)

Ferrovial Webber photo

In addition to the elevated lanes and interchange connectors, crews are installing drainage systems, retaining walls and other supporting infrastructure.

Box culverts are being installed at various locations along the corridor to connect drainage systems between the main lanes and frontage roads.

"We are installing them parallel along the corridor in various locations between the main lanes and frontage roads," Eddie Mejia, a discipline manager of Alamo NEX Construction, told Construction Equipment Guide.

Existing structures also are being replaced or modified, including retaining walls and cross streets.

"An example of this is near the UPRR line on Loop 1604," Rupi said, "where the existing bridges were removed to accommodate for the new widening and new drill shafts. Abutments have been constructed to prepare for bridge beams and panel work. MSE walls are also part of the process across the project."

Webber's supply chain operation is supporting the project's substantial material requirements. The work encompasses more than 800 bridge spans, more than 4,700 concrete beams, approximately 1,300 columns and 6 million sq. ft. of bridge decks.

## Working in a Congested Corridor

The project's urban setting presents significant logistical and construction challenges. Limited space within the existing I-35 corridor has constrained work areas, while the volume of bridge construction adds complexity.

"One of the biggest challenges for this project is that we have constricted work areas due to the limited room to build in the corridor," Martin said. "This is magnified by the fact that 70 percent of the project scope is related to bridge construction.

"There is also an extensive design and construction effort that is required to complete this project on time. Managing existing and growing traffic volumes while constructing this amount of infrastructure is one of the biggest challenges. In order to minimize traffic disruptions, most of the bridge work takes place at night and requires lanes and ramps to be closed."

Despite those challenges, construction has continued at a consistent pace.

"Moderate and consistent with a large quantity of nightly lane closures required," Ranvijah Singh, MOT discipline manager for Alamo NEX Construction told Construction Equipment Guide. "The project continues to make significant progress towards a successful delivery and relief to the region, with major construction activities advancing rapidly across the corridor."

Utility relocations have been another source of difficulty, along with the geological conditions encountered in the region.

"Utility relocations have been hindering us, but we are closer to resolving those issues in the remaining areas, Jody Crawford, director of utilities, told Construction Equipment Guide. "As with any bridge project, you must deal with underground and overhead risks. This area of San Antonio does have known karst features and the presence of underground water that had to be contended with. The northeast area of San Antonio also has expansive soils that had to be designed around for pavement structures."

## Final Phase

![](https://dmt55mxnkgbz2.cloudfront.net/900x0_s3-72032-W-TX-157_26-IR-2_jpeg.jpg)

Ferrovial Webber photo

Remaining work includes installation of precast elements, flatwork, mill-and-overlay operations, utility work and drainage installation. Crews also will continue completing sidewalks and other surface improvements as the elevated structures advance toward completion.

"Over the next year-and-a-half, the elevated structures will be completed, along with the remainder of the auxiliary construction such as flatwork, sidewalks, surface mill and inlay," Martin said.

The project's scale also is putting heavy demands on construction equipment, particularly the cranes required to install the numerous bridge components.

"Cranes have heavy use and require consistent maintenance," according to Alamo NEX Construction. "Repairs are done very quickly — in a matter of hours. Our crane subcontractors have mechanics available to maintain them on site. Daily checks are routine, and machines undergo their routine maintenance schedules."

With the bulk of the foundation work behind it and structural construction well advanced, Alamo NEX Construction is now focused on completing the elevated system, interchange connections and associated roadway and drainage improvements.

## Photos

![The design-build project, part of the Texas Clear Lanes Initiative, began in June 2022 and covers 9.5 mi. of I-35 from Interstate 410 N to Farm-to-Market 3009.](https://dmt55mxnkgbz2.cloudfront.net/1205x0_s3-72032-W-TX-157_26-IR-1_jpeg.jpg)
*Photo credit: Ferrovial Webber photo*

![The project includes elevated managed lanes between the existing main lanes and frontage roads, eight bridges and reconstruction and widening of the Loop 1604 general-purpose lanes and bridges.](https://dmt55mxnkgbz2.cloudfront.net/1205x0_s3-72032-W-TX-157_26-IR-2_jpeg.jpg)
*Photo credit: Ferrovial Webber photo*

![Remaining work includes installation of precast elements, flatwork, mill-and-overlay operations, utility work and drainage installation.](https://dmt55mxnkgbz2.cloudfront.net/1205x0_s3-72032-W-TX-157_26-IR-3_jpeg.jpg)
*Photo credit: Ferrovial Webber photo*

![The eight direct connectors at the two major interchanges incorporate both concrete and steel girders.](https://dmt55mxnkgbz2.cloudfront.net/1205x0_s3-72032-W-TX-157_26-IR-4_jpeg.jpg)
*Photo credit: Ferrovial Webber photo*

![The structures incorporate concrete, asphalt, rebar and other conventional highway construction materials.](https://dmt55mxnkgbz2.cloudfront.net/1205x0_s3-72032-W-TX-157_26-IR-5_jpeg.jpg)
*Photo credit: Ferrovial Webber photo*

![A concrete beam is lifted into place.](https://dmt55mxnkgbz2.cloudfront.net/1205x0_s3-72032-W-TX-157_26-IR-6.jpg)
*Photo credit: Ferrovial Webber photo*