FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, May 31, 2006

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) will temporarily close portions of the southbound mainlanes of Interstate 35 at the SH 81 bridge in Hillsboro, on Tuesday, June 6, Wednesday, June 7, and Thursday, June 8, 2006, weather permitting.

• Starting at approximately 7:00 p.m. on Monday, June 5, the northbound and southbound exit ramps from I-35 to SH 81 (Exits 364B) will be closed in preparation for demolition of the SH 81 bridge over I-35. This closure will last approximately 6 months. Northbound and Southbound I-35 traffic needing access to SH 81 at that location, will be detoured at Exit 364A. (FIGURE 1)
• Southbound I-35 mainlane traffic will be detoured west to State Highway 81 via SH 22/171 (Exit 368A) then south back to I-35, from 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 6 until 7 a.m. Wednesday, June 7, for bridge demolition and removal. (FIGURE 2)
• Southbound I-35 mainlane traffic will be restricted to one lane at the SH 81 bridge crossing from 7 p.m. Wednesday to 7 a.m. Thursday, to continue bridge removal.
• Southbound I-35 mainlane traffic will again be restricted to one lane at the SH 81 bridge crossing from 7 p.m. Thursday to 7 a.m. Friday, to complete bridge removal.
• Northbound I-35 mainlanes will be open throughout the bridge removal operations.