I-35W Drivers Invited To Sound Off At TxDOT Hearing
TARRANT COUNTY (CBSDFW.COM) - The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is inviting residents to a public hearing Tuesday night. Citizens can find out more and comment on plans to widen Interstate-35W from Interstate-30, up to North Loop 820 and beyond.
"This is the next step in the process and we encourage everyone to come out and make a comment," TxDOT spokesman Michael Peters encouraged.
Leaders in cities across Tarrant County say the project is needed to "to meet future travel demands stemming from projected population growth and traffic volumes."
The project would encompass nearly a dozen miles, but the price tag for the project doesn't end with construction; the design includes several toll lanes.
"The $1.6 billion project would go farther… would continue farther north up to US 287, so it would be a 10-mile project," Peters said. "The ultimate configuration will widen the corridor up to eight main lanes, plus four toll-managed lanes, including auxiliary lanes and frontage roads."
The public hearing is required for the project to get federal environmental clearance to proceed.
"The portion of Interstate-35W, north of I-20, has already been environmentally cleared," Peters said. "So now we are seeking environmental clearance for the south segment, there between downtown and North Loop Interstate 820."
According to TxDOT, portions of Interstate-35W, in north Fort Worth, now ranked the 5th and 25th most congested in the state.
Peters said, "Construction could begin as early as next year on an interim project that would approximately double the existing capacity of the roadway."
The TxDOT public hearing will be held Tuesday, June 12 at 7 p.m. at –
Calvary Christian Academy
1401 Oakhurst Scenic Drive
Fort Worth, TX 76111
