Road closures are big signs of progress for a new toll road in Tarrant and Johnson counties.
The 27-mile Chisholm Trail Parkway will connect Interstate 30 near Downtown Fort Worth with U.S. 67 in Cleburne, running through areas that had little highway access before.
To continue construction, Dirks Road/Altamesa Boulevard closes Saturday between Harris Parkway and Granbury Road. It will stay closed most of the summer -- until Aug. 18.
County Road 910 west of Farm-to-Market 1902 in Burleson will close permanently.
Burleson Economic Development Director Bradley Ford said the city expanded its borders years ago to take in thousands of acres near the new toll road in anticipation of substantial new development.
"We've aligned our comprehensive plan. We've done some annexation in that area as well, and we're working with our partners to align our infrastructure plan to be sure we're ready for the growth that's going to take place out there," he said.
Businessman Joseph Sidawi owns a mini-storage and U-Haul rental business right at the spot where the toll road will cross Farm-to-Market 917 in Burleson.
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He said it will very good for his business but not for all of his neighbors.
"There's a clear divide between those who have lived here their whole lives, raised here as children, and they feel like the country aspect is going to be taken away, the seclusion from the city," he said.
The road is due to open in the spring of 2014.
