Going to Arlington's Entertainment District for a game, concert or other big event can be a lot of fun, but it can also be a hassle – especially when it comes to getting in and out of the stadium parking lots. Leaders in Arlington hope a new multi-million dollar road project will help improve that.
Starting in July, crews will begin expanding Stadium Drive from a four-lane road to a six-lane road between Division and Abram streets. They'll also install a median down the center of the road.
Many drivers use Stadium Drive to access parking lots via Division and Abram streets, which can create a lot of congestion in that area. The city hopes the expansion will alleviate some of that and improve traffic flow.
In addition to expanding the road, they'll add new landscaping, new lighting and a new concrete trail that will connect into other trails and parks in the Entertainment District.
Officials say Stadium Drive is a major gateway into the Entertainment District and it should look as such.
"We are trying to connect to that Entertainment District and really make this whole area improved because of it," said Bob Watson, an engineer for the city of Arlington.
The project is expected to be complete in early 2017. Watson said most of the expansion will take place west of the existing roadway, so the city doesn't anticipate a lot of delays for drivers during construction.
Local
The latest news from around North Texas.
"It won't be until further on in the process that we'll need to go ahead and close more lanes and move them over to the new pavement," said Watson.
Watson said an added benefit of the project is that it will allow trains to cross Stadium Drive without having blow their whistles, which they are currently required to do.
The total cost of the project is $5.5 million. Most of that money comes from a bond issue that Arlington voters passed in 2008.
