January 13, 2022

Construction activities are ramping up on the I-635 East project in Dallas as the project teams make way for subsequent phases and many planned traffic switches. Pegasus Link Constructors (PLC), the joint venture between Balfour Beatty and Fluor Corporation, is nearing completion of the overhead and underground utility relocations and is in full stride on the installation of storm drainage, retaining walls, bridges and roadway base/ pavement to support the traffic switches.

These project-wide activities also include the commencement of bridge construction at the Skillman cross street bridge, a section of the I-635 East project that will incorporate unique aesthetic treatments such as a 3,000-ton steel-arched bridge.

As part of the initial phases of construction sequencing at the Skillman intersection, PLC will construct a temporary bridge on the west side of Skillman Street to maintain the existing flow of traffic, while the team demolishes the former bridge and constructs the new and wider cross-street signature arch bridge adjacent to the temporary bridge.  

The new Skillman Street/I-635 intersection will incorporate a more straightened alignment through the intersection, pedestrian walkways along both directions of traffic, added travel lanes, and added U-turns along the intersection and frontage roads. Out of all the cross streets along the 11-mile, I-635 East project, Skillman is the only cross street that will have unique aesthetic treatments such as brick pavers, steel arches, and lighting with a dynamic color-changing effect that can be seen at night.

Additional construction activities at Skillman include establishing new frontage roads and noise walls to reduce disruption to nearby residents and stakeholders.

“We are excited for the next phases of construction on the I-635 East project," said John Rempe, regional manager of Balfour Beatty’s Southwest Civils operations. “Once complete, the new roadway alignments will allow a safer, easier route for travelers with the Skillman cross street bridge bringing a signature structure to the local community and for drivers of I-635 to see into the future.”

While construction on the I-635 East project is not expected to reach substantial completion until 2024, demolition of the existing Skillman bridge and work on the new bridge is expected to begin this summer.

The next project milestone includes the opening of the first newly constructed direct connector bridges at the I-30/I-635 interchange which will be available to the public in the first quarter. 

To keep up with construction updates on the entire project and view active construction progress, visit 635east.com.