Project Summary

Because of anticipated traffic demand and congestion, possible delays in emergency services, and decreased safety, TxDOT initiated a Major Investment Study in 1998 to develop feasible plans for roadway improvements in the IH 30 corridor from Oakland Boulevard to the future SH 161. TxDOT coordinated with the NCTCOG, Texas Transportation Institute, TxDOT Dallas District, Tarrant County, DART, The T and the Cities of Arlington, Fort Worth and Grand Prairie to gather and assess their input concerning potential transportation improvements in the I-30 corridor.

The development process for a major transportation improvement project generally follows a five step. The improvements are first identified in the Metropolitan Transportation Plan for the Dallas-Fort Worth region as developed by the NCTCOG. From this regional study of transportation needs, a corridor study known as a Major Investment Study was performed by TxDOT to evaluate improvements over a specific segment of freeway, namely I-30 from Oakland Blvd. to proposed SH 161. These conceptual corridor improvements can then be developed into detailed geometric design schematics with environmental impacts evaluated in an Environmental Assessment (EA). This work effort is currently on-going. Upon approval of the schematic and EA by the FHWA, TxDOT proceed with right-of-way acquisition and construction plan preparation. Then construction can begin, subject to the availability of funding. Continuous public involvement will be carried out throughout the project development process.

The project study area is influenced by a number of important traffic generators, including a major tourist destination at the Arlington Entertainment District, several large single and multifamily neighborhoods, the Great Southwest Industrial District, large retail/commercial centers located at major cross-street intersections, and east-west through traffic traveling between Fort Worth and Dallas. The Arlington Entertainment District includes Six Flags Over Texas, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, the Texas Rangers Ballpark, and the future Dallas Cowboy Stadium and facility (opening 2009). The following table lists the 2005 average daily traffic (ADT) along IH 30 and the projected 2025 ADT.
 

Segment Location 2005 2025
I-30 Oakland to IH 820 108,200 166,200
I-30 - I-820 to Collins Street 147,600 230,300
I-30 - Collins Street to SH 360 129,800 200,200
I-30 - SH 360 to SH 161 153,600 235,200

Upon completion of data collection and development of initial alternative improvements, TxDOT presented initial findings in a public meeting on June 24, 2003 at the North Davis Church of Christ in Arlington. Approximately 140 citizens, local officials, and staff attended the meeting. The main concerns expressed by citizens at the meeting were the future traffic volumes and resulting noise levels, a desire for noise walls, existing drainage problems, and concerns with additional pass-through traffic on Lincoln Boulevard north of Lamar Street if Center Street is extended north.

Following the meeting, additional studies were performed by TxDOT to develop more detailed cross section alternatives, construction costs, right of way requirements, and potential environmental concerns for the alternatives being considered. TTI, with the assistance of TxDOT and NCTCOG, developed a matrix of cross section alternatives and managed High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane configurations, as documented in their technical report dated April 2005. The TTI report recommended widening IH 30 as warranted by future traffic growth. The recommendations included:

  • Widen I-30 from 6-lanes to 8-lanes between Oakland Boulevard and I-820


  • Widen I-30 to 10-lanes between I-820 to the proposed SH 161 interchange


  • Provide a single lane, reversible, barrier separated Managed HOV facility from Fielder Road to the proposed Managed HOV facilities in Dallas County (expected completion of construction in 2007) at the future SH 161 interchange


  • Allow for future expansion of the Managed HOV Facility to a two-lane cross section from Cooks Lane east to SH 161, and a one-lane facility between I-820 and Cooks Lane. Future access would be considered near I-820 and Eastchase Parkway

    Additional schematic development further refined future managed lane access. The plan for current managed lane access allows traffic west of Fielder Road to enter slip ramps in the median, and traffic originating in Arlington to enter from a drop ramp at the proposed new bridge at Baird Farm Road. Ultimately the plan for future managed lane access will allow traffic west of I-820 to enter slip ramps in the median, allow I-820 traffic and local traffic to enter from flyover ramps at Cooks Lane, and allow eastern Fort Worth local traffic to enter from a drop ramp at Randol Mill Road.

    Many congested facilities in the DFW region provide HOV lanes as one mobility alternative. Although the tolling policy for the I-30 corridor managed lanes has yet to be determined, one alternative is to use electronic tolling to collect tolls from Single Occupancy Vehicles (SOV’s) while HOV’s would be allowed to travel free. This method provides an incentive for the formation of car-pools (HOV’s) while optimizing the use of any excess capacity in the managed lanes by selling it to SOV’s. The operation, maintenance, and enforcement of the managed lanes are currently under study by TxDOT, North Texas Tollway Authority, Dallas Area Rapid Transit and the Fort Worth Transportation Authority.