Approximately 45,000 vehicles travel this section of the highway each day. The project area is part of a major northbound hurricane evacuation route and serves as a southbound “gateway” into Corpus Christi.
The project is approximately 2.3 miles long and construction is expected to last 5.5 years.
Proposed Benefits
The proposed project is anticipated to improve safety, mobility, and resiliency on I-37.Proposed Improvements
The $85.7-million project includes:- Widening the I-37 mainlanes to four lanes in each direction with widened shoulders
- Increasing the width and height of the Nueces River bridges to make them more resilient to storm surges and flooding while maintaining efficient access to and from Corpus Christi
- Rebuilding the cross-street bridge and the I-37 northbound bridge over southbound US 77
- Reconfiguring the I-37 entrance and exit ramps
During construction, access to Labonte Park will be maintained. However, the boat ramp may be closed temporarily to maintain safety.
Project Phasing
To minimize impacts to motorists, the project will be constructed in four phases:Phase 1
- Remove cross-street bridge over I-37 at US 77 and detour southbound I-37 to northbound US 77 traffic
- Reconstruct the I-37 northbound and southbound inside mainlanes
- Construct a southbound entrance and exit ramps between Sharpsburg/Ripple Road and the Nueces River
- Construct a new boat ramp turnaround at Nueces River
- Build a new I-37 northbound bridge over the US 77 direct connector
Phase 2
- Reconstruct the I-37 southbound outside mainlanes
- Open the southbound Sharpsburg Road exit ramp
- Open the southbound entrance ramp
Phase 3
- Build the I-37 northbound outside mainlanes
- Complete and open the cross-street bridge over I-37 at US 77
- Construct and open the northbound Labonte Park exit ramp
- Open the northbound Sharpsburg entrance ramp to I-37
- Construct and open the northbound US 77 direct connector
- Install intelligent traffic system, lighting, and signage
Phase 4
- Shift traffic to final roadway layout
- Lay final pavement surface on new ramps, frontage roads, and mainlanes
