City Spends $80M to Improve Infrastructure
By Laurie Fox
Posted on June 18, 2014, June 18, 2014

Improve Infrastructure

Since last summer, drivers throughout Arlington have witnessed the results of a citywide road construction boom not seen in decades.

From street repairs to new bridges and sidewalks, improved sewer and water lines to widened roadways, these projects are funded by previous bond elections combined with some federal grants and state transportation dollars.

As many 16 major public works and water utility upgrades totaling as much as $80 million will roll out over a two-year period.

David Wynn, the assistant director/city engineer in the Public Works and Transportation Department, said the work touches virtually all corners of the City.

"We look at where the needs are," he said.

For example, once crews finish extending Center Street from Highlander Boulevard to Bardin Road, a new four-lane bridge will be built over Interstate 20. This construction project not only will provide a new access point across Interstate 20 - connecting north and south Arlington - it will provide traffic relief to the Collins Street, Matlock Road and Cooper Street bridges located nearby. The ongoing Arbrook-Melear Drainage Project, once completed, will help alleviate flooding in that area and will provide a smoother road for commuters. This project is part of larger citywide effort to improve drainage in different neighborhoods.

Wynn said the volume of work represents follow-through on projects already approved by voters.

"We have a good track record of delivering what we've promised," he said. "We're proud of that."

Below is an overview of current and upcoming street projects:

Lamar Blvd. (Collins to Ballpark): rebuild and widen four-lane divided to six-lane divided roadway; July 2013 to Sept. 2014; $9.5 million

Bowman Springs (Interstate 20 to city limits): road widening; Sept. 2013 to July 2014; $2.1 million

2011 Residential Rebuild: rebuild streets in parts of East Arlington; Oct. 2013 to June 2014; $1.5 million

2013 sidewalk project: rebuild sidewalks, ramps, driveways for ADA compliance; Oct. 2013 to Oct. 2014; $1.5 million

Arbrook/Melear and Arbrook Area Channel: road re-design and drainage improvements; Dec. 2013 to Oct. 2014; $3.6 million

2012 Residential Rebuild: rebuild and repair streets and sewer lines in various areas; Feb. 2014 to Jan. 2015; $3.3 million

Abram Street (State Highway 360 to Great Southwest Parkway): widen from four-lane divided to six-lane divided roadway including drainage, water and sewer; June 2014 to May 2016; $8.5 million

Tri-Schools project: improvements to Ledbetter, Russell, Calendar and Curry roads as safety measures around three schools; June 2014 to Aug.2016; $16 million

Abram Street (Stadium Drive to State Highway 360): road and water improvements along with sidewalks, streetlights and landscaping; July 2014 to April 2016; $8.2 million

Center Street (Arkansas to Notting Hill Gate): road, drainage, water line improvements; July 2014 to Oct. 2015; $4.5 million

Center Street/I-20 bridge: construct a new bridge over Interstate 20 at Center Street from Highlander Blvd. to Bardin Road; September 2014 to March 2016; $11.1 million

Front St. parking lot: expand parking lot just north of railroad tracks near several downtown restaurants; Sept. 2014 to Jan. 2015; $315,000.

Bowen Rd. (northbound right turn lane at I-20): September 2014 to Jan. 2015; $270,000.

Stadium Drive (Division to Abram): widen to six lanes with at-grade railroad crossing as well as new hike and bike trail; Oct. 2014 to May 2016; $6.7M.

2013 Residential Rebuild: road improvements in parts of East Arlington; likely to start in January 2015; $2.5M

Cooper St. Sidewalks: add sidewalks from mid-Arlington to just north of I-20; likely to start in November/December 2014 or early 2015; $1.53 million

Bond Program, Street Construction Projects
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