A new Abram Street bridge over Johnson Creek opened to traffic on Friday.

The former bridge, located east of Collins Street near Meadowbrook Park, was closed last May and demolished as part of the Abram Street rebuild project. The new bridge is about nine feet higher than the old bridge to help alleviate roadway flooding during heavy storms.

Arlington is in the midst of rebuilding Abram Street from Cooper Street east to the Grand Prairie border. Arlington voters approved funding for the multi-year project, which aligns with the City Council Priority to Enhance Regional Mobility, during the 2003 and 2008 bond elections. Additional funding comes from the Tarrant County Transportation Bond Program.

In addition to reconstructing the Johnson Creek bridge, the City is also making underground drainage and water improvements and adding landscaping, sidewalks and landscaping in the section of Abram between Collins Street and State Highway 360. The section of Abram between Stadium Drive and SH 360 was complete last July and the section from Stadium to Collins is expected to be complete this August.

Work to rebuild Abram Street between Cooper Street and Collins Street is expected to begin later this year.

The City of Arlington appreciates drivers' and business owners' patience during the project to improve mobility along Abram Street.