The most extensive and expensive highway reconstruction project ever in Texarkana will begin this fall.

The Texas Transportation Commission gave its final approval on July 27 to a $153.5 million project aimed at addressing Texarkana’s growing pains and traffic congestion along Interstate 30. This will involve converting all frontage roads along the I-30 corridor to one-way, filling in gaps in the frontage roads between Kings Highway (FM 989) in Nash and Jefferson Avenue on the Arkansas side, relocating entrance and exit ramps and adding and reconstructing overpasses along the route.

“There’s no doubt traffic problems will increase while the work is being conducted, but once it is completed it should greatly improve mobility all along I-30,” said Kenny Icenhower, area engineer for TxDOT in Texarkana. “Once the project is finished, motorists will be able to travel from Kings Highway all the way to State Line Avenue and back without ever having to pass through a signalized intersection. There will be no need for vehicles to stop at a signalized intersection unless they want to turn on a particular crossroad.”

The I-30 corridor has long had problems with traffic congestion, especially where commercial development has blossomed near Richmond and Summerhill Roads. The primary cause of the congestion is too many vehicles trying to pass through too many signalized intersections. Currently, there are two signalized intersections on each side of the interstate—one each for the frontage roads and one each for the exit and entrance ramps.

The new one-way frontage roads will help to remedy this problem in several ways:

1. The one-way direction will take one direction off each signalized intersection.
2. The two full intersections will be removed as the exit and entrance ramps are merged into the frontage roads.
3. The frontage roads will be moved under the crossroads next to the interstate traffic lanes. Traffic will not need to exit the frontage roads and go through a signalized intersection unless they want to get onto a particular crossroad.
4. Turn-around bridges will be constructed on each side of the crossroad overpasses to allow traffic to travel to the opposite frontage road without having to pass through the crossroad intersection.

The overpasses at Richmond and Summerhill Roads will be completely reconstructed to allow room for the new frontage roads to be built underneath them. This will be done after the turn-around bridges are built on each side so traffic will still be able to use the roadways.

Additional overpasses will be constructed at University Avenue between US 59 and Kings Highway and at Pavilion Parkway, which will connect traffic between the Richmond Ranch development and the Lowes/Wal-Mart shopping areas.

The interchange of US 59 with I-30 will also be completely reconstructed to allow direct access to and from I-30 through interlacing overpasses. Turn-arounds will be constructed at the intersection of US 59 at New Boston Road (US 82) underneath the loop.

In addition to the construction work, the project also includes landscaping along the frontage roads throughout the project.

‘The first order of business in beginning the project will be filling in the gaps in the frontage road system between Kings Highway and State Line Avenue,” Icenhower said. “Once this is completed, we will convert the frontage roads to one-way while the rest of the work is being conducted.

“There is no doubt that traffic congestion will get even worse during the construction process, but we just ask that the public please have patience with us because the finished product is going to be so much better,” he said.

Austin Bridge & Road, LP of Dallas, was awarded the contract for the construction. The Arkansas Department of Highways and Transportation has worked with TxDOT to pay for its share of the project that crosses the state line.

"I am very pleased to see this important project move forward. It will improve commerce and traffic flow in the region, and serves as a great example of what can happen when we work in partnership with neighboring states," said Senator Kevin Eltife, R-Tyler.

Work on the project should begin in September of this year and take about four years to complete, Icenhower said.