A new direct connector from westbound Loop 820 to southbound Interstate 35W promises motorists a major traffic change when it opens on Sunday Jan. 24.
Instead of exiting to the left, motorists will exit to the right in order to continue onto I-35W south. The existing direct connector from westbound IH 820 to southbound I-35W will be closed.
“The opening of this new direct connector represents a major milestone in the life of this project,” said Heather DeLapp, regional public relations manager, North Tarrant Infrastructure, commenting in a news release.
“Past experience tells us that drivers don’t always pay close attention to traffic signs, or are unfamiliar with the area and end up making lane changes at the last minute. We strongly encourage everyone to pay close attention to the posted signage, stay alert to other drivers and slow down in this area,” DeLapp said.
The opening will result in the following associated closures:
Friday Jan. 22 at 9 p.m. through Saturday Jan. 23 at 10 a.m.:
· Alternating lanes of the westbound Loop 820 general purpose lanes from Beach Street to I-35W.
· The right lane of the westbound Loop 820 TEXpress lanes from Beach Street to I-35W.
· The off-ramp from westbound Loop 820 to Riverside Drive. Traffic will be redirected to the previous exit at Haltom Road.
Saturday Jan. 23 at 9 p.m. through Sunday Jan. 24 at 10 a.m.:
· The off-ramp from westbound Loop 820 to Riverside Drive. Traffic will be redirected to the previous exit at Haltom Road.
· Alternating lanes of the westbound Loop 820 general purpose lanes from Beach Street to I-35W.
· The direct connector from westbound Loop 820 to southbound I-35W. Traffic will be redirected to FM 156.
· The left lane of southbound I-35W at the I-35W/Loop 820 interchange.
The new direct connector will officially open the morning of Sunday Jan. 24 at 10 a.m.
The work is part of the $1.4 billion North Tarrant Express 35W project, which includes a section ranked sixth on the state’s most congested roadway list. The section is along 6.5 miles of I-35W from north of Interstate 30 to north of Loop 820 including the I-35W/Loop 820 interchange in Fort Worth. The project includes the reconstruction of main lanes and the addition of TEXpress managed lanes.
More information is available at www.northtarrantexpress.com