Getting through Arlington will be slow-going for the next few nights. The Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) announced that westbound lanes on Interstate 30 will shrink down to just one lane nightly as workers hoist overhead signs. The $233 million I-30/SH 360 Interchange Project, which is nearing its substantial completion, is expected to cause significant delays for commuters and travelers.
The lane reductions, which start from Jan. 16 through Jan. 18, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., stretch from Great Southwest Parkway up to Ballpark Way. Motorists should brace themselves for rolling closures that might occur when sign structures are set across live traffic lanes. The changes to the I-30 westbound main lanes, which were made effective on Nov. 22, have introduced a new traffic pattern that drivers should watch out for, according to the City of Arlington, Texas.
But it isn't just the westbound side of I-30 that's getting squeezed. The eastbound lane switch, effective since Sept. 10, 2023, between Ballpark Way and Great Southwest Parkway, demands attention for new traffic patterns too. Arlington is working to ease the pain of navigation by partnering with Waze. The app offers a solution for drivers by providing real-time traffic updates, optimal routes, and alerts for any closures.
Amidst these changes, various ramps and exits on both the I-30 and SH 360 have seen significant alterations over the past few years. As far back as Aug 9, 2020, the direct connector ramp from I-30 eastbound to SH 360 southbound has been in service. The most recent addition, set to open up on March 21, 2023, links I-30 westbound directly to SH 360 southbound.
Local streets are also feeling the heat of construction, with Avenue J facing lane reductions due to general construction starting Jan. 17, causing expected delays. Drivers will need patience and perhaps a reliable navigation app while the road work continues through the spring of 2024 for the construction of sound walls along SH 360.
