Bridge construction

Brad Watson reports.

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Before the first signature bridge across the Trinity River is completed in downtown Dallas, thousands of drivers on southbound Interstate 35 will be affected by changes in traffic and lane closures.

Signs of the coming construction are popping up.

Drivers might have noticed this week concrete pilings being drilled and filled right next to southbound Stemmons Freeway.

TxDOT is starting work on building the approach from Woodall Rogers that will reach to the east levee of the river and connect with the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge.

But before there's a bridge, drivers will need to be wary.

For more than a year, much of the construction work on the bridge has been inside the levees and outside of view for many.

But that just changed as construction work moved out right next to southbound Interstate 35 under Woodall Rogers Freeway.

"You can anticipate that there will be some road closures in the coming future," said TxDOT spokesperson Kelli Petras.

TxDOT says the most noticeable change in the past week is restriped southbound lanes and a barrier placed to protect workers.

The state is drilling deep underground and pouring cement for the supports that will hold up the bridge and ramps.

Drivers won't be impacted for about eight months when one or two interstate lanes could close for awhile.

"We'll do our best to keep the public informed of these before we actually close anything down, but we try a lot of night work. We find that to be very effective," said Petras.

The $117 million Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge and approach ramps will span from downtown, across the river, to west Dallas.

The main feature - the bridge's towering arch.

TxDOT hopes there won't be towering traffic backups during construction.

"There may be a time when we have to actually close the entire roadway for actually transporting a beam or laying something down. But again we will notify the public," said Petras.

E-mail bwatson@wfaa.com.