Tuesday, March 19, 2024

DFW Connector – NorthGate Constructors to open the new FM 1709/Northwest Highway bridge

NorthGate Constructors will open the new FM 1709/Northwest Highway bridge this weekend, one of four improved intersection bridges over SH 114 to open on the DFW Connector project.

The new FM 1709/Northwest Highway bridge will open to six lanes this weekend, allowing two-way traffic. Once the bridge is opened to full capacity later this year, it will be nine lanes wide with a Texas U-turn on the east side.

Bob Price, public works director for the City of Southlake, knows how important the new bridge will be to local commuters, especially those in Southlake and the City of Grapevine.

“The direct connection of Northwest Highway and Southlake Boulevard (FM 1709) will be a huge improvement in the movement of traffic between the two communities,” he said. “The removal of the Park Boulevard and Gateway Drive bridges will reduce driver confusion.”

Opening the new bridge proves to be a milestone for the DFW Connector project, and the starting point for a string of new bridges opening by the end of the year, including northbound International Parkway north of DFW Airport and southbound SH 121 to westbound SH 114.

In order to open the new bridge, NorthGate will need to conduct the following lane closures beginning Friday, August 3 at 8 p.m. until Monday, August 6 at 6 a.m.:

Following the opening of the new FM 1709/Northwest Highway bridge, crews will begin demolishing the two former bridges. Demolition will begin on Sunday, August 5 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Crews are tentatively scheduled to continue demolition the weekends of August 10, 17 and 24, starting Friday at 8 p.m. and continuing until the following Monday at 6 a.m. To complete the demolition, NorthGate will close east and westbound SH 114 mainlanes under FM 1709 during these times; traffic will be detoured to the east and westbound SH 114 frontage roads.

The $1.02 billion DFW Connector project is currently one year ahead of schedule, with a completion date of mid-summer 2013. The project is being built under a comprehensive development agreement (CDA) between the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and NorthGate Constructors.

For more information about the DFW Connector project, including all current and upcoming lane closures, visit www.dfwconnector.com, or call the toll-free hotline at 877-411-4212. The DFW Connector can also be found on Twitter (@DFWConnector) and Facebook (DFW Connector Project).

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