July 2014
TxDOT kicks off SH 161 congestion relief
In a regional effort to relieve congestion on State Highway 161 between Conflans Road and SH 114, a project began last month that will increase capacity by converting the shoulders to interim “peak-hour” lanes on this 6.3 mile section of roadway.
Traffic routinely backs up along part of this segment because of the reduction of capacity from three lanes to two lanes in each direction on a three-mile section of SH 161 connecting the Western Extension of the President George Bush Turnpike with the remainder of the PGBT. To address this, one lane will be added in each direction that can be used during morning and afternoon rush hours.
Construction will include paving, restriping and installation of additional signage and lights. The North Central Texas Council of Governments, Texas Department of Transportation and North Texas Tollway Authority have worked together on this interim solution to improve reliability for this western Dallas County roadway.
Construction is expected to last for approximately a year, with the improvements anticipated by July 2015. Any needed lane closures will occur during off-peak travel times. When the lanes open next year, during off-peak hours, signage will prohibit travel on the interim lanes, and the lanes will revert to serving as the inside shoulders.
The contract for the $3.7 million project was awarded to Austin Bridge and Road LP. The interim project will remain in place until approximately 2017, when an ultimate project to build one managed toll lane in each direction is implemented. — Submitted by TxDOT
Dallas County Commissioner Mike Cantrell was elected chair of the Regional Transportation Council in June and will lead the policymaking body for the next year. Parker County Judge Mark Riley is the new vice chair, and Grand Prairie Mayor Ron Jensen will serve as secretary. Riley previously served as secretary of the 44-member RTC. For more, visit the Transportation Department newsroom at www.nctcog.org/trans/outreach/media/. |
nctcog.org/localmotion
$3,750
The average cost of a new car in 1974, the year NCTCOG was designated the metropolitan planning organization for the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
SUBSCRIBE
To receive Local Motion and public meeting info by e-mail, click here.
MEETINGS
View the Transportation Department calendar to learn about upcoming meetings and opportunities to get informed, involved.
|
