Airport Freeway one step closer to much-needed congestion relief

Written by Phil Cerroni

Motorists traveling State Highway 183, also known as Airport Freeway, are one step closer to traveling more efficiently on additional lanes. The Texas Department of Transportation recently issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for development of the SH 183 Managed Lanes Project, which spans from SH 121 to I-35E and could include connecting roadways, pending legislative approval. 

“This is a major step in relieving traffic and improving safety for Texans on a highway that has remained relatively unchanged since 1973,” said Phil Wilson, TxDOT executive director. “We are excited about the possibility of accelerating the construction schedule of the project and providing a high-quality product at the greatest value.”

Through a Comprehensive Development Agreement, TxDOT will partner with a company chosen from the RFQ to design, build and maintain the SH 183 Managed Lanes Project. Phase 1 of the project, estimated at $1.4 billion, will replace deteriorating roadway structures and add one to two managed toll lanes in both directions of travel. The project will improve mobility by expanding 13.5 miles of the corridor in the western portion of Dallas County and eastern portion of Tarrant County.

State Highway 183 ranks as #47 on the state’s list of 100 Most Congested Roadways. One quarter of all Metroplex traffic travels the corridor daily. Current traffic volumes on SH 183 average between 120,000 to 168,000 vehicles per day; 50 percent more vehicles than the highway is designed to carry.

A Request for Proposals will be issued after completion of the RFQ process later this year with first phase of construction planned to start in 2014. 

Source: Texas Department of Transportation