I-35W traffic switches to affect downtown drivers

October 26,2016

A traffic switch on northbound I-35W from Highway 121 to Spur 280 begins Oct. 29. This shift places northbound I-35W traffic onto new permanent pavement.

In addition, southbound traffic between Spur 280 and Highway 121 will be shifted to allow construction to begin on the new southbound general highway lanes. This temporary configuration is expected to last for about six months.

To perform the switch and prepare for construction activities on that stretch of highway, the following nightly closures will be in place:

Oct. 29 from 9 p.m. until 10 a.m. Oct. 30: Northbound traffic switch. Various lanes closed along northbound I-35W.
Oct. 30 from 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. Oct. 31: Preparation work for the southbound traffic switch. Various lanes closed on southbound 121. Left lane closed along southbound I-35W.
Nov. 1 from 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. Nov. 2: Southbound traffic switch. Long-term (approximately six-month) closure of the southbound on-ramp to I-35W from Weatherford and Gilvin streets. Traffic will be redirected to Riverside Drive. Long-term (approximately six-month) closure of the southbound exit ramp to downtown/Spur 280. Traffic will be redirected to Belknap Street.

This work is part of the $1.4 billion North Tarrant Express I-35W project, which includes a 6.5-mile section that is currently ranked 23rd on the state’s most congested roadway list. Ranked sixth when construction began in 2013, this section of I-35W from north of I-30 to north of I-820, including the I-35W/I-820 interchange in Fort Worth, is already seeing traffic improvements with the reconstruction of main lanes and the addition of TEXpress managed lanes.