The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) laid out a proposed plan to include a new section of South Loop 335 in Amarillo, Texas. The new section of the loop would span about 7.8 miles and would include a four-lane section with a provision to expand to six lanes.
Transportation studies show that traffic is expected to triple or quadruple in the area in 20 years under current road conditions.
The plan includes building a new section of the loop to align with Helium Road, stretching north along Helium before veering northeast into Soncy Road before it intersects with Southwest Ninth Avenue, TxDOT Amarillo Transportation Planner Terry Nix said at the meeting at Ascension Academy, 9301 Ascension Parkway.
The proposed plan would also include and Interstate 40 bridge, a Loop 355 bridge and associated direct connectors.
The project has three levels — the frontage roads will be at ground level, the second level is proposed to be I-40 and the third level will be Loop 335, Nix said.
Nix said the proposed project is needed for multiple reasons — to provide a freight corridor, address hazardous cargo and materials traveling along the loop, and to improve traffic operations, mobility, safety and connectivity.
Construction is projected to begin in September 2017.
