Drivers heading south on US 287 in Arlington should brace themselves for delays as the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) brings lanes down to a crawl for its latest construction squeeze. The city of Arlington has released a heads-up, letting travelers know that a portion of southbound US 287 will be cut down to one lane at Village Creek Road nightly, all the way through March 11, as part of the colossal $2.1 billion Southeast Connector Project. For those looking to skirt around the nightly inconvenience, updates are available on the Southeast Connector Project, as per the City of Arlington, Texas.
This is just the start of a broader effort to seamlessly bring together east and southeast Tarrant County with its central parts, aiming to alleviate traffic snarls, jack up safety, and enhance the overall smoothness of travel in the Metroplex. But the project promises to frequently throw a wrench into commutes and travel plans, with closures and changes subject to the whims of weather and schedule adjustments. The City of Arlington is making a point to keep residents in the loop, offering direct text and email updates for those who register their details on the project's site.
The squeeze isn't restricted to US 287 either. The report indicates that, through March 20, southbound I-820 will be squeezed down to just one lane between East Berry Street and Wilbarger Street, and through March 22, northbound I-820 will get the same one-lane treatment from Berry Street to Rosedale Street. Construction continues to encroach on other arteries as well, with nightly lane restrictions rolling onto different segments of the road network throughout March, causing many motorists to rethink their nightly routes.
And it's not just the lanes that are shrinking—speeds must too. The speed limits in the entire project corridor have been pulled back to 55 mph, possibly to help prevent any accidental detours into construction mayhem. The message is clear: slow down, stay informed, and maybe leave a little earlier.
