Weekly Update: Abram St. Project Construction & Lane Closures

Here are the anticipated traffic impacts for the coming weeks on and along Abram Street in Downtown Arlington. Closures and detours are subject to changes due to weather and schedule. In future updates, new information will be indicated in bold.

Abram Street between Pecan and Center

The outside lanes of eastbound and westbound Abram Street between Pecan and Center streets, which is the area between City Hall and the Levitt Pavilion, will be closed to traffic through August 2018.

• Temporary fencing has been installed along the north side of Founders Plaza across from City Hall to protect visitors to the Downtown park and the Levitt Pavilion from construction activities. Pedestrians can enter the park from the east side of Center Street or from the southwest corner of the Pecan and Abram streets intersection.

Abram Street between Weeks Avenue and Jeffries Street

• Starting the week of March 25, the eastbound lanes of Abram Street will be closed between Weeks Avenue and Jeffries Street for the installation of sanitary sewer lines. However, two-way traffic will be maintained at all times during construction, which is set to last through June. This section is west of Collins Street.

Cooper and Abram streets intersection

• Some turn lanes closures are expected for the Cooper and Abram streets intersection starting the week of March 25. Drivers will still be able to make turns, but the existing turn lanes from northbound Cooper Street onto eastbound Abram Street and from eastbound Abram Street onto southbound Cooper Street will be closed. Other work includes the removal of the traffic island at the southeast corner of the intersection and the relocation of the traffic signs. Work on this section is expected to last through May.

Open for Business

City, community and business leaders celebrated the start of the two-year, Abram Street rebuild project last week with a groundbreaking ceremony near City Hall.

“We are bigger than Cincinnati, St. Louis, Pittsburg, New Orleans. We deserve a downtown that’s representative of the 50^th largest city in America,”  Mayor Jeff Williams said during the groundbreaking event. “And this is a huge step in making this happen. This rebuild will create a safer, more attractive space for on-street festivals and other outdoor events that draw visitors to Downtown, which is a state-designated Cultural District."

Though such progress will mean lane closures, dust and detours for the next two years, Downtown Arlington Management Corporation President and CEO Aldo Fritz asked for the community’s patience and support during what he called the “hold onto your hats Downtown Renaissance.”

“Continue to bring your family, friends and coworkers to Downtown every chance you get,” Fritz said. “The welcome mat is out. Downtown Arlington is open for business.”

Arlington Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Michael Jacobson agreed, saying he expects the temporary inconveniences will be worth it for property owners, residents and visitors at the project’s end. “Don’t stay away from Downtown. You may have to take a little detour to get around whatever construction is going on but don’t let that slow you down,” Jacobson said. “The businesses down here need you.”

Navigation at Your Fingertips

The City of Arlington has partnered with Waze to give drivers the best experience possible to get around town. Download Waze for free and see real-time traffic, find optimal routes, avoid road closures, and more.

Abram Street Revitalization Project

To stay up-to-date on this transformative, two-year rebuild project between Cooper Street and Collins Street, go to myAbram.com, follow #myAbram on social media, or visit the City of Arlington’s Abram Street Rebuild webpage. The project is scheduled for completion in March 2020.

Updates and groundbreaking coverage provided by the City of Arlington and shared courtesy of DAMC.