Less than ten years after completion of an expansion of North Loop 820 and Highway 183 in Northeastern Tarrant County, a second expansion is beginning this week. North Tarrant Infrastructure will use tolls to pay for the $414 million project.
"When the original project was built, this phase was in mind, so no additional right-of-way was needed," says North Tarrant Infrastructure's Tommy Williamson.
Construction will add a free lane on 820 in each direction from Riverside Drive to Boulevard 26 and a tolled "TEXpress" lane in each direction on 183 from Bedford-Euless Road to Industrial Boulevard.
Nighttime lane closures are starting Monday with eastbound general purpose lanes on 820 closing at 7:30 pm between Beach Street and Rufe Snow. The lanes should open by 5:30 a.m. Tuesday.
Williamson says traffic will be diverted to the TEXpress lanes at no cost. Other closures are planned through the week.
"We have already started business outreach and coordination with local emergency responders in an effort to keep everyone informed and minimize disruptions or delays," he says. "Just like with any other construction project, we encourage motorists to know before you go."
Since routes will be changing and exits may be closed periodically, Williamson urges people who use the corridor to check www.texpresslanes.com for planned closures. Closures will also be posted on the company's "X" account @TEXpressAlerts and on Facebook @TEXpressLanes.
While an expansion was expected, Williamson says this work became needed five years ahead of schedule.
"When certain markers were met, this project was going to get going," he says. "Those markers were met years ahead of time, so that's why this project is getting ready to kick off."
Williamson says the expansion will alleviate bottlenecks and reduce the need for peak tolling rates. NTE Mobility Partners uses an algorithm to adjust tolls automatically based on how many cars are using the lanes. The company has an agreement with North Central Texas Council of Governments to turn off its algorithm when they reach a certain level and start adjusting tolls manually.
"Our intent is to keep traffic moving," Williamson says. "We knew this project was going to happen, it just happened a couple years earlier than we thought."
Construction on the entire expansion is expected to continue through the first part of 2027.
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