Good morning, everyone! Here is a media advisory for a ribbon cutting event that we will be hosting Tuesday. Please let me know if you have any questions!
June 3, 2024
| WHEN:
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Tuesday, June 4, 2024
1:30 P.M.
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| WHERE: | SL 335 & I-40 West Interchange
10300 W Interstate Hwy 40, Amarillo, TX 79124 |
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MEDIA: |
TxDOT hosts ribbon cutting for new SL 335 location; connecting southwest and northwest quadrants |
AMARILLO – The ultimate goal of SL 335 is to relieve traffic off of the highways and offer a safe, alternative route of transportation around the city of Amarillo. The recent completion of the first phase of SL 335’s new location plays an integral part in this goal.
The original concept of SL 335 had the southwest segment run through Soncy Road. After several studies and multiple public meetings, it was deemed that it would not be feasible for SL 335 to run through this road. It was decided that moving the loop one mile west over to Helium Road would optimize mobility for the traveling public. But this move didn’t come without its challenges.
The new alignment would have to cross over the east side of the Amarillo Helium Plant; just north of the IH-40 and SL 335 interchange. The Helium Plant is of historical significance on a national level due to it being the primary helium production facility in the United States from the 1920s up through the 1960s. But after multiple public input sessions and close work with several historical preservation groups, a memorandum of agreement was agreed to that would allow TxDOT to continue construction in that area while also preserving the helium plant’s rich history.
But that wasn’t the only challenge TxDOT overcame on this segment. In constructing this new alignment, a second-level bridge and frontage roads would have to be built at the IH-40 interchange to allow for optimal mobility through the area. The work was completed earlier this year and is now fully open to traffic.
State and local representatives along with other state agencies will join TxDOT for a ceremonial ribbon cutting to commemorate this special occasion.
Contact Jason Britsch at jason.britsch@txdot.gov or (806) 356-3256
Thank you!
Jason Britsch
Public Information Officer
Texas Department of Transportation
Amarillo District
5715 Canyon Drive
Amarillo, Texas 79110
(806) 356-3256 O
(806) 672-8585 C
X: @TxDOTAmarillo
Facebook: Texas Department of Transportation (Amarillo)