Have questions about the Abram Street rebuild that will soon begin through Downtown Arlington? The public is invited to attend a construction briefing next week about the start of this important, two-year revitalization project.

This public meeting, the first of many that will be held throughout the project's duration, is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, March 5 in the Council Briefing Room, 3^rd Floor of City Hall, 101 W. Abram St.

Construction Kicks Off in March

On February 27, the Arlington City Council awarded a $26.1 million contract with Rebcon Inc. of Dallas to rebuild Abram Street between Cooper and Collins streets. Construction will begin March 19 and is anticipated to wrap up by March 2020.

"We realize that two years seems like a long time to put up with detours, dirt and delays. But we are confident the smoother drive, enhanced on-street parking, and pedestrian-friendly improvements will make enduring any construction-related inconveniences worth the wait," said Keith Brooks, Public Works and Transportation assistant director.

As an incentive to complete the project ahead of schedule, the Council approved a $4,000 bonus for each day that the project is finished early, with a maximum total bonus of about $1.4 million.

Revitalizing a Major Gateway to Arlington

Downtown is the final section of the City's Abram Street Rebuild, which started at the Grand Prairie city limits east of SH 360 in July 2014 and has progressed west to Collins Street over the past three and a half years.

The Abram Street project is one of the largest street rebuilding projects in the City's history. Abram Street is one of the major gateways into The American Dream City, providing access to the Entertainment District, Downtown, the Cultural District, the University of Texas at Arlington and other destinations.

Arlington voters approved funding for the project in 2008. Other funding includes water and sanitary sewer bond funds.

A Transformative Project

Public feedback from a series of meetings in 2014 and 2015 helped shape the design for the Abram Street Rebuild through Downtown.

Improvements will include new water and sanitary sewer lines, paving, drainage, landscaping, streetlights, traffic signals and brick pavers that will create a plaza area in front of City Hall. The project will also include tree plantings, new benches and trash receptacles, and streetscape improvements, such as LED pedestrian lighting.

Part of the rebuild aims to create a safer, more attractive space for on-street festivals and other outdoor events that draw visitors to Downtown, which is a state-designated Cultural District. Retractable bollards, which are used to temporarily close a street to vehicle traffic, will be installed on Abram Street between City Hall and Founders Plaza, a public park that is also home to Levitt Pavilion Arlington. Enhanced electrical capabilities will also be added to provide support for the growing number of outdoor events held at the park.

Monuments at Cooper Street, West Street, Mary Street, Collins Street and in front of City Hall are also planned to welcome visitors entering Downtown.

Stay Informed Through MyAbram Website

Want to stay up-to-date on the project's progress? The City of Arlington will work closely with the Downtown Arlington Management Corporation through the MyAbram website and other outlets to communicate lane closures, construction milestones and other important information to residents, visitors and the business community during the two-year project.

"We will work with business owners, property owners and tenants and coordinate through monthly partnering meetings to make sure their needs are being taken care of as we progress through the project," Brooks said.

The Abram Street Rebuild is an example of the Arlington City Council's priority to Enhance Regional Mobility. You can also track the progress of this project and many others happening throughout Arlington by visiting the City's Street Tracker webpage.

The City of Arlington has partnered with Waze to give drivers the best experience possible to get around town. Drivers can download Waze for free at www.waze.com/get for iOS and Android and see real-time traffic, find optimal routes, avoid road closures and more.