Highway 161 Gets New Lanes For Rush Hour
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IRVING (CBSDFW.COM) - Drivers along Highway 161 in Irving are getting some new lanes, and hoping for an end to long delays, as the Texas Department of Transportation tries something new to relieve traffic troubles.
Starting on Monday, drivers are able to cross the white line and travel along the inside shoulder of the highway.
There are three miles of the roadway, from Highway 114 to Highway 183, where travelers are forced from three lanes down to just two lanes. This area really bottlenecks during peak travel times. TxDOT is now allowing drivers to take advantage of that extra space along the inside shoulder -- but only during certain hours.
The lanes will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and again from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on weekdays only. Anyone caught using the new lane outside of these peak hours could be given a warning by police.
This is the first time that TxDOT is trying something like this to help with rush hour traffic backups. Signs are in place to alert motorists about when it is (and is not) okay to drive along the shoulder. The hope is that this extra lane will keep cars moving more quickly.
Drivers think that the additional lane really will make a difference. "I usually try to avoid 161 altogether," said motorist Bobby Watkins, "but now that they have an extra lane, I might actually take it."
"That's where the most traffic jams are," stated driver Nicholas Carter. "If you open up that third lane, it will make traffic flow much easier."
"I think it's a good idea," said driver Terence Blade. "Traffic is really backed up right now. They need to open up another lane."
Crews with TxDOT will be putting up more digital signs on Monday night to tell drivers about the extra lane.