By the end of August, crews working on the Sam Rayburn Tollway/Dallas North Tollway interchange expect to finish setting all of the steel bridge beams that form the core of the interchange.
When the heart of the new five-level interchange is complete, the contractor will have reached a major milestone in its continuing progress on the NTTA mobility project in Frisco and Plano. Crews have been setting more than 18 million pounds of steel beams – an amount equal to approximately 10,000 cars – on the interchange.
The multi-ton steel beams will help support eight bridges that will join the two tollways to improve traffic flow through the high volume area. The interchange is expected to open for traffic next January – just two years after work began on the $79 million construction project.
In the meantime, crews will continue to work on bridge decks, concrete paving and concrete safety railing for the new direct connectors. Workers also will continue to set concrete bridge beams, erect retaining walls and perform tasks on and around the new direct-connecting bridges.
Various lane closures will be necessary on the two tollways’ main lanes and frontage roads while work continues. The closures, scheduled during off-peak hours, are required to ensure the safety of motorists as well as NTTA contractors and staff.
The NTTA appreciates the patience of the public, commuters and businesses near the interchange as crews work as swiftly and as safely as possible to complete the interchange.
For the latest Sam Rayburn Tollway construction updates and related lane closures, visit www.ntta.org, or call the NTTA Information Line at (214) 224-3030.For general project information, visit www.ntta.org where you also can sign up to receive a special weekly e-newsletter about the Sam Rayburn Tollway.