SH 121/SH 183 Study
The Fort Worth District is currently planning improvements for SH 121/SH 183
(Airport Freeway) from IH 820 to SH 161. The existing highway includes three
general purpose lanes each direction. Proposed improvements are planned to
include three general purpose lanes in each direction with three managed lanes
in each direction for a total of twelve lanes with frontage roads for future
traffic volumes.
The preliminary design concepts and alternatives for the corridor are being
reevaluated to include additional managed lanes in the median of the proposed
general purpose lanes. The layouts are currently being updated to include three
general purpose and three managed lanes each direction. A managed lane facility
is one that increases freeway efficiency by packaging various operational and
design actions. Lane management operations may be adjusted at any time to better
match regional goals. This includes evaluating opportunities for congestion
management through a combination of three variables: hours of operation, auto
occupancy, and value/toll pricing.
The Preferred Alternative provides a unique configuration that provides a choice
evenly split between general purpose freeway lanes, and managed lanes with
frontage roads. General purpose lanes and managed lanes offer motorists a choice
between higher service levels and greater accessibility in a corridor that is
facing increasing congestion.
The Preferred Alternative has been developed in close cooperation with local
elected officials at the city and county level, city staffs, regional planners
and civic groups to provide input to TxDOT. A series of meetings at progressive
stages of design development were utilized to give opportunity for input into
creating the Preferred Alternative. Access locations to the managed and general
purpose lanes are shown in the access chart.