Four lanes of 161 opened this week between State Highway 183 in Irving and Interstate 30 in Grand Prairie. The new five mile stretch will allow drivers to travel continuously from just north of 30 and the Bush Turnpike in Garland.
The manager of one Grand Prairie gas station and convenience store thinks it will help them recoup some of the business they lost when a nearby street became one-way, the wrong way. David Grimaldo says, "Most definitely, yes, it will, because you know more cars, more people, more business, and plus Cowboys Stadium."
The more than $200 million dollar project, which is scheduled to add lanes next year, could take some of the traffic burden off of 30 and 360, especially during either Rangers or Cowboys game days and Loop 12 on other days. But Leroy Johnson wonders if he'll pay the price. He can see 161 from his front yard. He says while it should ease congestion, he worries about his home's property value, noise and more. He says, "My main concern is traffic jams; being able to come home, and just straight home, without having to worry about traffic and everything like that."
But there is nothing but bliss for commuter Stacie Berry who, starting tomorrow, hopes to cut her hour-long commute in half. She says, "I had to hit a couple different freeways to get to where I was going, but now I just hit 161, I hit Beltline, and I'm at work. I am very happy about 161."
The manager of one Grand Prairie gas station and convenience store thinks it will help them recoup some of the business they lost when a nearby street became one-way, the wrong way. David Grimaldo says, "Most definitely, yes, it will, because you know more cars, more people, more business, and plus Cowboys Stadium."
The more than $200 million dollar project, which is scheduled to add lanes next year, could take some of the traffic burden off of 30 and 360, especially during either Rangers or Cowboys game days and Loop 12 on other days. But Leroy Johnson wonders if he'll pay the price. He can see 161 from his front yard. He says while it should ease congestion, he worries about his home's property value, noise and more. He says, "My main concern is traffic jams; being able to come home, and just straight home, without having to worry about traffic and everything like that."
But there is nothing but bliss for commuter Stacie Berry who, starting tomorrow, hopes to cut her hour-long commute in half. She says, "I had to hit a couple different freeways to get to where I was going, but now I just hit 161, I hit Beltline, and I'm at work. I am very happy about 161."
The major intersection that will connect I-30 and 161 without getting off the highway won't be finished until the third quarter of 2012, which is when TxDOT will complete another extension down to I-20. That will be after the 2011 Superbowl in Arlington.
Texas 161 will be an all-electronic toll road. Motorists without TollTags can simply get on the road without paying upfront, and a bill will be mailed to the vehicle’s registered owner.
