The Commerce Contraflow Lane (traveling under IH-37) will close permanently on April 29, 2013. The space will be reconfigured for bike and pedestrian use.

View the impacted lane.

A ‘Here We Come’ Meeting is scheduled to inform stakeholders in the project area of the timeline and upcoming work in the area.

Wednesday, April 17, 2013


2:00 – 3:00 p.m.


Executive Assembly Conference Center


HemisFair Park

Week of May 20, 2013

• At the Commerce Street underpass, new concrete planters and sidewalk will be placed.
• On the IH-37 southbound exit to Commerce Street, excavation will begin in the parkway to permanently widen the exit ramp.
• On the south side of Cesar Chavez, the entrance ramp to southbound IH-37 will be permanently widened. The widening will occur in the parkway between the existing entrance ramp and IH-37.
• The chilled water line will be placed along the frontage road beginning at Cesar Chavez.
• Grading and preparing to drill piers for the new retaining wall will occur along the IH-37 frontage road.
• The rough cut in the parkway will continue along the new Market Street alignment. The grading will begin near the footprint of the old SAWS building and work east towards IH-37.
• Underground utilities will continue to be installed throughout the site.

Week of May 6, 2013

• At the Commerce Street underpass, the contractor will continue with demolition of the roadway, curb and sidewalk to make way for a new bike lane and pedestrian walkway.
• On the south side of Cesar Chavez, the contractor will be widening the entrance ramp to southbound IH 37. The widening will occur in the parkway between the existing exit ramp and IH 37.
• On Monday, May 6, there will be a new lane configuration in place on the frontage road north of Cesar Chavez. Traffic lanes will be shifted east towards IH 37 to allow placement of the new SAWS chilled water line. Bowie Street will be funneled down to one lane near the IH 37 southbound exit ramp.
• Contractor will be laying out the planned location of the chilled water line along Bowie Street.
• On Market Street, the contractor will be removing concrete curb and sidewalk on the north side in front of the SAWS chilled water facility. There will be a daily lane closure adjacent to this area from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm for worker and public safety during the removal. This daily lane closure is anticipated to occur through the week.
• Contractor will begin the rough cut in the parkway along the new Market Street alignment. The grading will begin near the footprint of the old SAWS building and work east towards IH 37.
• Contractor will begin the installation of underground utilities along the new Market Street alignment.

July 2, 2013

Bowie Street between Market Street and Commerce Street will be closed to traffic to complete underground utility work beginning Monday, July 8, for approximately three weeks. Access to businesses will remain available through Market and Commerce Streets. Additionally, traffic on Market will be reduced to two lanes between Alamo and Tower of the Americas Way during this time.

Bowie Street Detour Map
Close up of the Bowier Street Detour Map

PROJECT WORK SCHEDULE: MONDAY AUGUST 19- SATURDAY AUGUST 24

• Two lanes will be closed at Bowie and Commerce to allow access to a utility manhole. Work will continue through the week. 
•  Work will continue in the Cesar Chavez intersection for the chilled water tie in. The tie in is complete and will be tested prior to the road repair being completed.
• Soil and landscaping will begin at the planters located on Commerce below the I-37 underpass.
• Work will continue on the Time Warner cable, telecommunication, and IT lines along the new Market Street alignment. Splicing of the new lines is anticipated to be complete in early September.
• Drilled shaft placement will continue along I-37 for the new retaining wall.
• Demolition of the existing I-37 southbound exit ramp will continue throughout the week.

The Interstate 37 (I-37) South entrance ramp at Market Street will close beginning Monday, July 22 for approximately 13 months while it is reconstructed. All traffic entering I-37 South will be directed down Tower of the Americas Way (formerly South Bowie Street) to the entrance ramp at Cesar Chavez Boulevard.