As the LBJ Express approaches the reconstruction of key bridges along the freeway, drivers will begin to see the first major traffic impact (as if it hasn’t been bad enough yet). So, project officials are doing everything they can to direct people away from the Joe Ratcliff, Rosser, Marsh and Montfort bridges as they move to a reduced capacity Sept. 10-Oct. 17.
“We could have a DFW carmageddon,” says Andy Rittler of LBJ Infrastructure Group. “This when people are going to want to avoid LBJ completely.”
To help, they’ve partnered with the developers of the mobile app, WAZE, a community traffic and navigation tool that delivers real-time information and will direct people around these bridges.
The app will only direct people to neighborhood side streets if absolutely necessary, says Michal Habdank-Kolaczkowski, Director of Communications for WAZ. “It’s programmed to find roads where traffic is moving the fastest – other surrounding freeways.
WAZE partnered with the ABC station in Los Angeles after one its major freeways shut down. Now, it’s partnering with WFAA here in Dallas to help give traffic updates.
Here’s what to expect as the bridges start coming down:
– The Joe Ratcliff Pedestrian bridge will be demolished at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10 and will be completely closed through midnight.
– Next is Montfort, which will closed at 9 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17 until noon the next day.
The bridges will reopen but at reduced capacity and, at times, just to one lane. The demolition of Preston Road has not yet been scheduled. Sign up for updates via the LBJ Express website.
