A major $142 million highway construction project is set to transform travel through downtown Fort Worth, with new bridges, improved frontage roads and upgraded infrastructure aimed at easing congestion and enhancing connectivity.
The Texas Department of Transportation plans to begin construction in August on a multi-year overhaul of Interstate 35W, a critical corridor that carries more than 165,000 vehicles daily near downtown.
The project, part of the broader North Tarrant Express initiative, is expected to be completed by September 2030.
Motorists traveling east from downtown will see significant changes, including new frontage road connections extending over the Trinity River — a key improvement designed to eliminate current dead-end routes and improve traffic continuity.
A central component of the project includes building a new bridge near Airport Freeway, allowing frontage roads to extend across the river and connect seamlessly with existing roadways.
“They’re going to be putting in frontage roads to the east of the existing frontage roads, so in theory that should minimize the impact to current traffic up until the point they have to make the connections,” said Christie Gotti, a senior program manager with the North Central Texas Council of Governments.
Currently, the eastbound frontage road provides a direct ramp to Airport Freeway but does not extend beyond the river, limiting connectivity.
“There’s going to be a connection added so that the frontage roads will continue over the Trinity River and connect where they dead end on the west side,” Gotti said. “That will be a new bridge to provide a continuous connection.”
In addition to the new bridge, the project includes replacing the aging Sylvania Avenue bridge, which has experienced repeated damage due to its low clearance.
Officials said the bridge will be raised approximately five feet from its current 13.5-foot clearance to improve safety and reduce vehicle collisions.
The project is funded through a combination of state and regional contributions. The Regional Transportation Council recently approved $45 million in local funding to supplement approximately $97 million from TxDOT.
Officials say the improvements will enhance mobility, reduce congestion and support long-term growth in the Fort Worth area.
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TxDOT is also expected to develop a comprehensive traffic control plan to minimize disruptions during construction, which will span several years.
The upgrades are particularly critical given the heavy traffic volumes along I-35W, a key route connecting downtown Fort Worth to surrounding communities and regional economic hubs.
By modernizing infrastructure and improving roadway continuity, the project aims to address both current congestion challenges and future transportation needs in one of Texas’ fastest-growing regions.
Originally reported by Eric E. Garcia in Fort Worth Report.
