IH 820 Corridor Alternatives Analysis IH 30 to IH 20

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Project Description

The Fort Worth District is currently studying improvements for the six-mile IH 820 corridor from Meadowbrook Drive to IH 20, and the 2.5-mile IH 20 corridor between IH 820 and US 287, in the cities of Fort Worth, Arlington, Kennedale and Forest Hill. This is a comprehensive, multiyear study of all possible alternative transportation modes suitable for this corridor. The study will determine the long- and short-term transportation needs of the corridor and result in recommended alternatives to address those needs. The proposed improvements are not currently funded.

The existing IH 820 corridor includes two general purpose lanes each direction. Proposed improvements include four lanes each direction from Meadowbrook Drive to US 287 with three-lane frontage roads in each direction, and five to six lanes each direction from US 287 to IH 20 with three-lane frontage roads in each direction and two-lane reversible managed lanes (Managed Facility).

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. In addition, further studies will evaluate if additional managed/toll lanes within the system could generate revenues to accelerate construction of this project.

The existing IH 20 corridor includes five general purpose lanes each direction. Proposed improvements include at least seven lanes each direction from Anglin Drive to the IH 20/820 interchange with three-lane frontage roads in each direction.

All proposed ramps and intersections would be improved along both routes. In addition, the Preferred Alternative consists of numerous components such as Travel Demand Management, Transportation Systems Management (TDM/TSM), and bicycle and pedestrian measures that are designed to decrease and manage demand on the transportation system. These elements include employer trip generation programs, telecommuting options, traveler information, special event options, and signal and intersection improvements. The Preferred Alternative also includes a recommendation for further study of a proposed light rail/commuter line along the existing Union Pacific (UP) South route crossing near Old Mansfield Highway and IH 20.

Based on an extensive alternatives analysis and public involvement process, the preferred transportation improvement strategy being proposed features the following key elements:

The proposed design calls for depressed main lanes, a raised Craig Street Bridge elevated over slightly depressed frontage roads, and braided ramps (on/off ramps are bridged one over the other) north of Craig Street.

The design calls for the main lanes and continuous frontage roads to be depressed underneath the UP Railroad. Currently, frontage roads are discontinuous at the railroad.

This has been redesigned to provide a right-hand divergence for IH 820 northbound main lanes off the northbound IH 820/US 287 main lanes. It would also provide a right-hand convergence for IH 820 southbound main lanes to southbound IH 820/US 287 main lanes. This would improve weaving movements on the main lanes between the IH 20/IH 820 and IH 820/US 287 interchanges.

The proposed design would relocate the existing exit and entrance ramps to new locations. The new design would improve safety by providing for better weaving conditions on the main lanes.

This interchange has been redesigned to provide a right-hand divergence for IH 820 northbound main lanes off eastbound IH 20/IH 820 main lanes. It would also provide a right-hand convergence for IH 820 westbound main lanes to westbound IH 20/IH 820 main lanes. This would also improve weaving movements on the main lanes between IH 20/IH 820 and IH 820/US 287 interchanges.

The proposed improvement would realign Anglin Drive at the westbound frontage road intersection. The realignment would eliminate the two-way movement that currently exists at that location, thereby providing safer direct access to the westbound frontage road. The entrance ramp to westbound IH 820/IH 20 from Mansfield Highway would be braided over the exit ramp from westbound IH 820/IH 20 to Anglin Drive. To accommodate additional lanes on the westbound main lanes and improve safety, the existing entrance ramp from Anglin Drive to westbound IH 820/IH 20 would be eliminated.

The proposed design calls for the main lanes and continuous frontage roads to be elevated above the UP Railroad. The frontage road bridges would be stand-alone structures separated from the main lane bridges. Currently, frontage roads are discontinuous at the railroad.

The proposed design calls for a two-lane facility that would be separated from the general purpose main lanes by concrete barriers and would be managed as needed. This would be a reversible two-lane facility that would begin at US 287 north of Village Creek and would continue to the IH 20/US 287 interchange. It would diverge to terminate with a reversible single-lane facility to both IH 20, east of the IH 20/US 287 interchange, and to US 287 south of Little School Road. Access to the Managed Lanes would be available only at the termini.

The study includes the preparation of a preliminary geometric layout and environmental assessment that will depict the proposed improvements in detail. Once the alternative concepts and the preliminary design are more complete, a public meeting will be scheduled. After the environmental document and preliminary geometric layout are further refined, they will be reviewed by TxDOT and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Once approval for further processing is received from the FHWA, a public hearing will be scheduled. If any further information about the project is desired, please contact Matthew Asaolu, P.E. at (817) 370-6852 or you may Email your comments to masaolu@dot.state.tx.us.