Podcast Transcript

FM 157/Collins Street Bridge Construction Update

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CRAWFORD

Welcome to this edition of the I-30 podcast. I am your host, Jason Crawford, and I’m the I-30 Mobility Coordinator. Thank you for joining me to discuss the progress of the FM157/Collins Street Bridge. In this episode I’ll be discussing the work that has occurred on the bridge since July, and it’s anticipated opening Thanksgiving 2009.

In July 2009, the FM 157/Collins Street Bridge was closed, and the last remaining bridge was demolished. All the FM157 traffic, at that time, was detoured west to the Center Street Bridge. In August 2009, the contractor completed the substructure work, allowing the contractor to place the remaining beams for the bridge in early September. By mid-October, the contractor placed the concrete deck slab for FM157/Collins Street Bridge crossing I-30. In November, the contractor is building the center traffic barrier separating north and southbound traffic. They’re also completing the pavement work on each end of the bridge, which includes decorative pavement in the middle of the intersections. The FM157/Collins Street Bridge will be reopened to traffic by Thanksgiving 2009. At that time, traffic will be available to two lanes northbound and to two lanes southbound. The detour currently used across the Center Street Bridge will be removed. Ultimately the Collins Street Bridge will carry three lanes of traffic north and three lanes south. Also, at Thanksgiving 2009, the westbound frontage road will connect from Collins Street to Center Street, adding additional mobility to this area.

But the work won’t stop there. The contractor will remain working on the Collins Street Bridge, on the edges of the bridge, out of traffic. The work that they will be performing will be completing the pedestrian walkways and the U-turns on each side of the bridge. That work will continue through the winter and is expected to be complete by spring.

That closes this episode of the I-30 podcasts. It has been a pleasure having you tune in and listen to the status update. Thank you so much for doing that. Please be sure to sign up for construction email alerts and check back for updated content.

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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.

Keep your eyes and ears on keep30moving.org.