Podcast Transcript

Second and Final Collins Street Bridge Demolition

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CRAWFORD

Welcome to this edition of the I-30 podcast. My name is Jason Crawford. I am your host and the I-30 mobility task force coordinator. Thanks for joining me today to discuss more progress on the I-30 project. In this episode I will discuss the second phase of the Collins Street bridge demolition.

If you don’t mind, I’ll take a second and update you on what is happening along I-30 in Arlington. In March 2009 the project’s first milestone was met more than one month earlier than planned. That milestone included completing all of the future eastbound mainlanes, to have all current Interstate traffic traveling on that new pavement, completed the south half of the new Baird Farm Road bridge and finally completed a significant portion of the new frontage road system.

The contractor is moving fast out there making lots of progress. Don’t wait too long to catch the changes that are taking shape along the two mile construction project. The final milestone is slated for fall 2010 where all of the new pavement between Cooper Street and Ballpark Way will be complete and open to traffic. It’s an exciting time out there!

Now, turning our attention back to the second and final phase of the Collins Street bridge demolition. The Collins Street bridge will be demolished in early July 2009 with all Collins Street traffic temporarily detoured over the Center Street bridge just to the west. By demolishing the final spans of the existing Collins Street bridge, the contractor will be able to build the new wider bridge faster. In fact, the plans are to have the new bridge ready for traffic by Thanksgiving 2009! By the time the bridge re-opens all of the Collins Street improvements between Lamar Boulevard and Skyline Drive will also be complete! Of course, the contractor may still be working on the aesthetic parts of the bridge or along Collins Street. The new bridge will feature three northbound lanes and three southbound lanes with dedicated U-turn lanes on each side of the bridge connecting to the frontage roads. The bridge will also have wide pedestrian sidewalks – just take a look over at the new Center Street bridge to get an idea of where things are headed. Each bridge is slightly unique, but you’ll understand the concept.

During the reconstruction of the bridge, all Collins Street traffic will be using the Center Street bridge. The southbound traffic was routed in a detour to the Center Street bridge in February 2009. Now northbound traffic will be routed to the bridge. The connection to Collins Street north of I-30 will be via a new Ryan Plaza Drive. The connection to Collins Street south of I-30 will be via Randol Mill Road. Well that’s a wrap for this edition.

Thank you so much for joining me. Be sure to sign up for our construction email alerts and check back for updated content. Also check out our sister website keep360moving.org for the latest news and construction alerts at the State Highway 360 interchange with Division Street in Arlington.

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Keep your eyes and ears on keep30moving.org.