Abram Street Reopens in Downtown, Rebuild Now 50 Percent Complete

The transformation of Abram Street between Cooper and Collins Streets is 50 percent complete and remains on target to be completed next spring, announced the City of Arlington Public Works and Transportation Department earlier today.

Since construction began in March 2018, significant changes, both above and below ground, to Abram Street between Cooper and Collins streets have been made. Some of the work completed to date includes:

• Relocation of more than 43,500 linear feet of conduit/cables for electricity, communication, fiber optic, traffic signals, and irrigation lines.
• Installation of 30 Americans with Disabilities Act compliant sidewalk ramps.
• Installation of 22,000 square yards of concrete for roadway and sidewalk paving.
• Installation of 3,850 linear feet of reinforced concrete pipe for stormwater system improvements.
• Installation of 6,360 linear feet of water lines and 2,300 sanitary sewer lines.
• Installation of 2,200 square yards of decorative brick pavers in the roadway and sidewalks.

Originally scheduled to be completed in seven phases, the complete closure of Abram Street, between Center and West streets, during May and June allowed a substantial portion of the roadway paving to be completed ahead of schedule. Except for a small portion of the intersection of West and Abram streets, the reopening of this section of roadway on Friday, June 28 marks the completion of all roadway paving between Cooper and Center streets.

In addition to this major achievement, the following construction milestones have also occurred:

• Drainage and paving improvements on the west side of the Abram and Cooper streets intersection were completed in December 2018.
• Improvements to the north side of the Levitt Pavilion from Pecan Street to Center Street were completed in early August 2018.
• Installation of new water and sanitary sewer lines on Abram Street between Jeffries Street and Weeks Avenue, as well as on Weeks Avenue itself was completed in July 2018.
• Installation of improved storm drain and water lines from Cooper Street to West Street was completed in July 2018.
• In September 2018, work to install new storm drains and sanitary sewer lines was completed between Jeffries and Collins Streets.
• In December 2018, the installation of new storm drains and sanitary sewer lines, as well as repaving Pecan Street was completed.

Beginning in July, the contractor will focus on the reconstruction of Abram Street from Mesquite to Collins streets. This work is expected to be completed in six months. During this time, the contractor will also continue to make improvements to the intersections of Abram and Cooper streets and Abram and West streets. The intersection improvements are expected to be completed in December 2019.

In the final months of the project, the contractor will focus on completing the reconstruction of the City Hall South Plaza, pedestrian walkway enhancements, and landscaping improvements.

What is the Abram Street Rebuild Project?

Downtown is the final section of the City's Abram Street Rebuild, which started at the Grand Prairie city limits east of SH 360 in July 2014 and has progressed west to Collins Street over the past three and a half years.

The Abram Street project is one of the largest street rebuilding projects in the City's history. Abram Street is one of the major gateways into The American Dream City, providing access to the Entertainment District, Downtown, the Cultural District, the University of Texas at Arlington and other destinations.

Arlington voters approved funding for the project in 2008. Other funding includes water and sanitary sewer bond funds.

The voter-approved Abram Street Rebuild between Cooper and Collins streets is on track to be complete in March 2020.

How do I stay up-to-date with lane closures and other news about the Abram Street Rebuild Project?

Track #myAbram or visit www.ArlingtonTX.gov/Abram. For more information about the Interstate 30/SH 360 projects, visit the Keep 30360 Moving website.

Getting Around Downtown

Free parking is available throughout Downtown, including in the public lot west of City Hall, in the 101 Center Parking garage, along Front Street, and in the new reverse-angle parking spaces along Abram, Center and Mesquite streets.

Download Waze for free and see real-time traffic, find optimal routes and avoid road closures, or for only $3 take Via Arlington and leave your car at home.

Updates provided by the City of Arlington and shared courtesy of Downtown Arlington.