The slow-moving traffic on Interstate 35 that has been experienced recently in Temple should disappear - at least for the week of Thanksgiving.

Areas along I-35 from mid-morning until early afternoon have slowed traffic in different sections of the interstate throughout Temple and Belton.

“The work is being carried out south and northbound on the highway south of the I-35 – 190 intersection towards Salado,” Ken Roberts, Waco District spokesman with TxDOT, said.

“What is happening is that three lanes are becoming one where the work is happening,” he said. “Road crews have been sealing cracks that have appeared in the asphalt.”

While roadwork occurs, even without TxDOT workers on the road, lanes are usually limited causing drivers to slow down.

“Over a period of time, with heat and cold and just varying temperatures and conditions, the asphalt will begin to crack,” Roberts said. “What we’ll do is seal it with an oil and tar mixture that will provide some additional protection to that area, at least until such times as we come back with an overlay and re-cover the whole thing,” he said.

Road surfaces from the 190 and the I-35 intersection, along I-35 northbound, have recently been resurfaced.

“Because of the expected increase of traffic during the Thanksgiving week, crews will not be working on the roads,” he said. “The work will then continue for 10-12 days after the Thanksgiving week.

“We have been line marking along I-35 in the Temple area as well. The trucks mark the lanes with fast-drying paint,” Roberts said, “But it is slow because we have to wait for the paint to dry before the traffic drives over it.”

tcooper@temple-telegram.com