Whether years of construction was worth an improved Interstate 35 in Salado depends on who you talk to.
Texas Department of Transportation, Waco District Spokesperson Ken Roberts says the project's $2,000,000,000 price tag makes it the most expensive project in the district's history. While he says Tex-DOT worked community leaders to minimize the inconvenience of all the construction, some issues remained.
"They had lots of issues here," Roberts said. "Things didn't go quite the way we or they wanted them to, but we still worked closely with them."
Salado native Chelsea Ervi says she's glad the construction is over, because it made getting around her small town confusing.
"It was difficult at some points especially coming home from school," Ervi said. "You just didn't know how to get across the bridge to get back to the neighborhood or Mill Creek. So it's nice that it's completed."
Ervi is happy with the changes to I-35 in Salado, but she's not sure if they're worth what all the city went through during construction. There are reports that businesses suffered and possibly closed because fewer visitors could make their way into town.
"I do think it's affected the community in ways that may not be as positive as a safer road," Ervi said. "I would say, yes, in the long run it has affected everything."
