ROAD CONSTRUCTION: Texas’ S.H. 183 getting long-awaited expansion

The Texas Transportation Commission approved an $847.6 million expansion of S.H. 183 this week, adding capacity to the east-west corridor that provides access to the south entrance of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. Work is scheduled to begin in fall 2014, with completion targeted for 2018.

Expansion of S.H. 183 has been a topic of discussion in Dallas since the early 1990s, but the project was delayed due to lack of funding and the need to relocate businesses that would be affected. Under the terms of the contract—awarded to Southgate Mobility Partners—12.1 miles of S.H. 183 will be rebuilt across Dallas, Irving and Euless. A new 18.3-mile tolled express lane will be added as well, stretching from S.H. 121 in Bedford to I-35 in Dallas.

In addition to the main work on S.H. 183, the project will add tolled express lanes—dubbed “TEXpress lanes”—on 13 miles of Loop 12 and S.H. 114. New ramps will connect the express lanes on S.H. 183 and Loop 12.

Pricing for the toll lanes had not been set at press time, but TxDOT expects to do so sometime in June. The likelihood is that toll prices will fluctuate based on congestion levels.