The seven-year construction project on Interstate-30 and SH 360 in Arlington is progressing, with two new interchange ramps opening Wednesday.
The westbound I-30 ramp to SH 360 and the southbound ramp to eastbound I-30 are both now open, according to the City of Arlington website.
The $233 million project began in 2016 and is finally nearly complete, with five ramps rebuilt and functional and the remaining three slated to open by the end of the year.
The project’s main goal focused on the I-30/SH 360 interchange, improving safety and traffic flow by replacing the existing loop road ramps and signals with a series of eight ramps.
One of the main reasons construction has been delayed for so long was that planning officials did their best to keep Arlington’s Entertainment District accessible for events occurring during the process, particularly for special events, reported CBS.
“We worked very hard to accommodate as many events as possible, and that did impact the timeline,” said Val Lopez, a spokesperson for the Texas Department of Transportation. “But we’re at a point construction wise where we’re really putting the pedal to the medal.”
Progress on the ramps is being made daily, meaning drivers could experience unfamiliar obstacles in their commutes from time to time as workers hustle to keep the project moving forward.
Lopez cautioned drivers to pay attention as they move through the construction zones, as “traffic patterns are changing daily,” per CBS.
Drivers should also keep in mind that the main lanes on westbound I-30 may close from 8 p.m.-5 a.m. between Six Flags Drive and Ballpark Way due to bridge construction for the next several nights.
Drivers should seek alternate routes or plan for lengthy delays. Arlington’s Street Tracker webpage is also available to see current construction projects and which roads they affect.
In addition to the I-30/SH 360 project, construction on the I-820, U.S. 287, and I-20 interchange project in Arlington is ongoing. The city is also working on nearly 20 Capital Improvement Projects that include things such as ADA, sidewalk, drainage, and street enhancements.
