TxDOT says LBJ East reconstruction on fast pace despite weather delays; general lanes now targeted end of 2025

Susan Clemons, district engineer for the Texas Department of Transportation’s Dallas District, gave Garland City Council a progress update on the LBJ East (I‑635) reconstruction project on June 16, 2025.

The project covers about 11 miles of I‑635 with reconstruction that includes roughly 2 miles along Interstate 30 and the 635/30 interchange. Clemons reported the overall project budget remains $1,700,000,000 and has not increased since the contract was awarded. Key construction work described included bridge beam installations, large box culvert drainage structures, major embankment and excavation, and new toll‑managed lanes in the center of the corridor.

TxDOT said typical sections will change from four general‑purpose lanes each direction and one managed toll lane in the middle to five general‑purpose lanes in each direction plus managed toll lanes in the center. Clemons described work progress by interchange (Greenville, Abrams/Forest, Skillman arch bridge, Garland Road, Kingsley, Jupiter, Centerville, Galloway and the I‑30 interchanges), and noted bridge work is roughly 75% complete while earthwork and excavation are substantially advanced (earthwork ~75–80%, excavation ~90%, embankment ~70%, bridge work ~75% per TxDOT’s slides).

Clemons told the council crews are setting large girders delivered mostly from San Antonio and that beam delivery and crane scheduling create short windows for night closures when beams are set. She also flagged coordination needs with Kansas City Southern (KCS) railroad where tracks intersect the work zone. Heavy rain was identified as the main remaining schedule risk; TxDOT said crews are working 6–7 days a week on the critical path to recover schedule.

On timing, Clemons said TxDOT is targeting opening five general‑purpose lanes by the end of 2025 to early 2026, with managed lanes and remaining city street work to follow in spring 2026. She added that the schedule now has some cushion after recent slippage and that spring 2026 remains the target for full completion of main lanes and city streets (TxDOT presentations noted an April target in internal schedules but urged that weather could force changes).

Council members asked about phasing at Centerville, temporary lane closures, left‑turn lane capacity, pedestrian signage maintained near work zones, and parking/batch plant impacts near Garland Road. Clemons and TxDOT staff said phasing plans aim to maintain at least two through lanes plus turn lanes on affected city streets, with temporary reductions to single left‑turn lanes where necessary; TxDOT committed to coordinate to minimize closures and to work with city staff on pedestrian signage and batch plant housekeeping.

Why it matters: I‑635 is a major regional corridor. Changes to lane configuration, interchange flyovers, and drainage will affect daily travel, freight movement and local access in Garland. The project’s cost stability was cited as a key public‑finance positive even as schedule risk remains tied to weather and material deliveries.

What comes next: TxDOT continues incremental openings (skillman/arch bridge targeted in June–early July per presentation) and will bring further schedule and phasing details to local jurisdictions as they are finalized. Council members and staff will continue coordination on traffic phasing, signage and construction impacts to Garland neighborhoods and city streets.