Traveling from Interstate Highway 20 in Arlington to downtown Fort Worth and points in between and along the way is in the process of getting much better for all of us.
But, especially for the 250,000 drivers who use these present routes every day.
The project is the largest ever in the history of the Texas Department of Transportation for our district. It spans 14 miles and involves the sections of three major highways – not only I-20 but Interstate 820 and U.S. 287 and their interchangers, frontage roads and bridges.
If the lane miles were stretched out as one continuous freeway, it would be 295 miles long – the distance from Arlington to Galveston.
Many reading this who have been using these routes will immediately relate to this update on how much progress is taking place in opening as many lanes as are being completed and to ensure its scheduled completion early in 2028.
The latest report was authored by Susan Schrock in Arlington’s Office of Communication and what follows is how she described how this transformative $2.2 billion project is progressing:
In Arlington, residents may have already noticed the rapid pace of work. Crews have completed milestones such as opening the flyover bridge from westbound I-20 to southbound U.S. 287 and a new collector-distributor from eastbound I-20 to southbound U.S. 287, as well as demolishing the former Bowman Springs Road bridge to make way for a new one.
Approximately 1 million construction man-hours are expected to be worked both this year and in 2026, underscoring the scale and pace of construction. So far, approximately six miles of new frontage road have been built, with another seven miles expected to open before the end of this year. Once completed, the Southeast Connector will offer vastly improved mobility for the approximate 250,000 commuters who drive these roads daily, explained Nicholas Andryshak, public information officer with South-Point Constructors.
“With added capacity on the highway and frontage road lanes, the Southeast Connector will significantly reduce congestion,” said Andryshak. “We’re also redesigning left-side exit ramps to more intuitive right-side movements, making navigation through the corridor safer and more efficient.”
The project includes 61 bridges that are being reconstructed or rehabilitated, several of which are located within Arlington city limits. The Village Creek Road bridge over U.S. 287 is now open, for example, and more structures will follow in the coming months.
Also, as part of community-focused improvements, noise barriers are planned along portions of westbound I-20 frontage roads in Arlington to help reduce traffic noise by 5 to 7 decibels, improving quality of life for nearby neighborhoods, he said.
Drivers are encouraged to be mindful of overnight lane closures, which typically begin after 9 p.m. to minimize daytime traffic disruptions. To help navigate construction zones, residents are encouraged to use the Waze app, which reflects real-time updates.
Yes, waiting until 2028 for final completion seems daunting. But just like all road projects, from the ones along Arlington’s 3,000 miles of internal streets and thoroughfares to the really big ones under the state’s jurisdiction, we ultimately realize it was all worth it.
To learn more about the project, take a look at the project’s website, complete with maps, timelines, and a photo gallery. You can find it by entering “txdot southeast connector” in your browser’s search box. Note the Closures and Detours tab to get daily notices that will help plan for a trip through this massive, multi-jurisdictional undertaking.
